Tuning the co-catalyst loading for the optimization of thermo-photocatalytic hydrogen production over Cu/TiO2

Abstract

We have optimized the H2 production by methanol thermo-photocatalytic reforming in the gas phase using Cu/TiO2 catalyst by tuning metal loading. Metal co-catalyst has been deposited by means of chemical reduction deposition. We have stated that thermo- and thermo-photocatalytic process leads to a notable H2 production at 200 ºC. By in-situ FTIR studies we evidenced that formate formation follows a different evolution depending on the reforming experiment. These surface formate would lead to CO formation through dehydration reaction. At higher Cu content the low CO selectivity denote that water-gas-shift reaction would predominate and exalt H2 yield. Thus, different optimum Cu content is found for each reforming experiment. While for the photocatalytic reforming Cu/TiO2 (2 wt%) is the best catalyst of the series, we should increase the Cu content to Cu/TiO2 (5 wt%) to achieve the optimum performance for thermo-photocatalytic reforming of methanol.