Hydrogen production via water splitting using different Au@ZnO catalysts under UV–vis irradiation

• Published in: Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. A, Chemistry. Chemistry., 2018-02, Vol.353 (C), p.385-394
• Main Authors: Machín, Abniel, Cotto, María, Duconge, José, Arango, Juan C., Morant, Carmen, Pinilla, Sergio, Soto-Vázquez, Loraine, Resto, Edgard, Márquez, Francisco
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Catalysis; Catalysts; Catalytic activity; Gold; Hydrogen; Hydrogen production; Irradiation; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Nanowires; Photocatalysis; Splitting; Ultraviolet radiation; Water splitting; Zinc; Zinc oxide
• ISSN: 1010-6030; 1873-2666
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotochem.2017.11.050

The hydrogen production via water splitting of zinc oxide composites was studied by incorporating different amounts of gold nanoparticles (1 wt.%, 3 wt.%, 5 wt.%, 10 wt.%) on the surface of synthesized zinc oxide nanowires (ZnO NWs), and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), along with a commercial form (commercial ZnO) for comparison purposes. The highest amount of hydrogen produced (853 μmol/hg) was reported by ZnO NWs with a gold loading of 10 wt.% at a wavelength of 400 nm. In the case of ZnO NPs and commercial ZnO, the highest amount of hydrogen produced was 709 μmol/hg and 559 μmol/hg, respectively, also with a gold loading of 10 wt.%. The photocatalytic activity when gold was incorporated was doubled in ZnO NWs, 8.2 times for the ZnO NPs and 6 times for the commercial ZnO. The catalysts proved to have high catalytic activity for the production of hydrogen by water splitting under UV-vis light, and depend both on the amount of gold deposited and the surface area of the support.