RuO₂ Nanostructure as an Efficient and Versatile Catalyst for H₂ Photosynthesis

Abstract

Photocatalytic H2 generation holds promise in the green production of alternative fuels and valuable chemicals. Seeking alternative, cost-effective, stable, and possibly reusable catalysts represents a timeless challenge for scientists working in the field. Herein, commercial RuO2 nanostructures were found to be a robust, versatile, and competitive catalyst in H2 photoproduction in several conditions. We employed it in a classic three-component system and compared its activities with those of the widely used platinum nanoparticle catalyst. We observed a hydrogen evolution rate of 0.137 mol h–1 g–1 and an apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) of 6.8% in water using EDTA as an electron donor. Moreover, the favorable employment of l-cysteine as the electron source opens possibilities precluded to other noble metal catalyst. The versatility of the system has also been demonstrated in organic media with impressive H2 production in acetonitrile. The robustness has been proved by the recovery of the catalyst by centrifugation and reusage alternatively in different media.

Urchin-like TiO2/CdS Nanoparticles Forming an S-scheme Heterojunction for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production and CO2 Reduction

“…Since the pioneering study of photocatalysis using TiO 2 by Fujishima and Honda, Inoue et al used semiconductor powder TiO 2 photocatalytic and electrocatalytic reduction of CO 2 . So far, various types of semiconductor catalysts have been studied for photocatalytic hydrogen production and CO 2 reduction. − However, the photocatalytic performance of TiO 2 is still unsatisfactory due to its low utilization efficiency of photogenerated electron–hole pairs, so it is essential to improve the photocatalytic performance of TiO 2 . The investigation found that the photocatalytic performance of TiO 2 has been improved through nanostructure design, , cocatalyst doping, , defect control, , and heterojunction preparation …”