Hydrogen and Oxygen Evolution in a Membrane Photoreactor Using Suspended Nanosized Au/TiO2 and Au/CeO2
Photocatalysis combined with membrane technology could offer an enormous potential for power generation in a renewable and sustainable way. Herein, we describe the one-step hydrogen and oxygen evolution through a photocatalytic membrane reactor. Experimental tests were carried out by means of a two-...
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MDPI AG
2019-01-01
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| Series: | ChemEngineering |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/2305-7084/3/1/5 |
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| author | Tiziana Marino Alberto Figoli Antonio Molino Pietro Argurio Raffaele Molinari |
| author_facet | Tiziana Marino Alberto Figoli Antonio Molino Pietro Argurio Raffaele Molinari |
| author_sort | Tiziana Marino |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Photocatalysis combined with membrane technology could offer an enormous potential for power generation in a renewable and sustainable way. Herein, we describe the one-step hydrogen and oxygen evolution through a photocatalytic membrane reactor. Experimental tests were carried out by means of a two-compartment cell in which a modified Nafion membrane separated the oxygen and hydrogen evolution semi-cells, while iron ions permeating through the membrane acted as a redox mediator. Nanosized Au/TiO2 and Au/CeO2 were employed as suspended photocatalysts for hydrogen and oxygen generation, respectively. The influence of initial Fe3+ ion concentration, ranging from 5 to 20 mM, was investigated, and the best results in terms of hydrogen and oxygen evolution were registered by working with 5 mM Fe3+. The positive effect of gold on the overall water splitting was confirmed by comparing the photocatalytic results obtained with the modified/unmodified titania and ceria. Au-loading played a key role for controlling the photocatalytic activity, and the optimal percentage for hydrogen and oxygen generation was 0.25 wt%. Under irradiation with visible light, hydrogen and oxygen were produced in stoichiometric amounts. The crucial role of the couple Fe3+/Fe2+ and of the membrane on the performance of the overall photocatalytic system was found. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T01:41:37Z |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2305-7084 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T01:41:37Z |
| publishDate | 2019-01-01 |
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| record_format | Article |
| series | ChemEngineering |
| spelling | doaj.art-154f50a445f744b492972b7ae7cdb6572022-12-22T03:08:09ZengMDPI AGChemEngineering2305-70842019-01-0131510.3390/chemengineering3010005chemengineering3010005Hydrogen and Oxygen Evolution in a Membrane Photoreactor Using Suspended Nanosized Au/TiO2 and Au/CeO2Tiziana Marino0Alberto Figoli1Antonio Molino2Pietro Argurio3Raffaele Molinari4Institute on Membrane Technology (ITM), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via P. Bucci Cubo 17C, I-87036 Rende (CS), ItalyInstitute on Membrane Technology (ITM), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via P. Bucci Cubo 17C, I-87036 Rende (CS), ItalyResearch Centre of Portici, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Piazzale Enrico Fermi 1, Portici, 80055 Napoli, ItalyDepartment of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 44/A, I-87036 Rende (CS), ItalyDepartment of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 44/A, I-87036 Rende (CS), ItalyPhotocatalysis combined with membrane technology could offer an enormous potential for power generation in a renewable and sustainable way. Herein, we describe the one-step hydrogen and oxygen evolution through a photocatalytic membrane reactor. Experimental tests were carried out by means of a two-compartment cell in which a modified Nafion membrane separated the oxygen and hydrogen evolution semi-cells, while iron ions permeating through the membrane acted as a redox mediator. Nanosized Au/TiO2 and Au/CeO2 were employed as suspended photocatalysts for hydrogen and oxygen generation, respectively. The influence of initial Fe3+ ion concentration, ranging from 5 to 20 mM, was investigated, and the best results in terms of hydrogen and oxygen evolution were registered by working with 5 mM Fe3+. The positive effect of gold on the overall water splitting was confirmed by comparing the photocatalytic results obtained with the modified/unmodified titania and ceria. Au-loading played a key role for controlling the photocatalytic activity, and the optimal percentage for hydrogen and oxygen generation was 0.25 wt%. Under irradiation with visible light, hydrogen and oxygen were produced in stoichiometric amounts. The crucial role of the couple Fe3+/Fe2+ and of the membrane on the performance of the overall photocatalytic system was found.http://www.mdpi.com/2305-7084/3/1/5water splittingZ-schemephotocatalysisphotocatalytic membrane reactor |
| spellingShingle | Tiziana Marino Alberto Figoli Antonio Molino Pietro Argurio Raffaele Molinari Hydrogen and Oxygen Evolution in a Membrane Photoreactor Using Suspended Nanosized Au/TiO2 and Au/CeO2 ChemEngineering water splitting Z-scheme photocatalysis photocatalytic membrane reactor |
| title | Hydrogen and Oxygen Evolution in a Membrane Photoreactor Using Suspended Nanosized Au/TiO2 and Au/CeO2 |
| title_full | Hydrogen and Oxygen Evolution in a Membrane Photoreactor Using Suspended Nanosized Au/TiO2 and Au/CeO2 |
| title_fullStr | Hydrogen and Oxygen Evolution in a Membrane Photoreactor Using Suspended Nanosized Au/TiO2 and Au/CeO2 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Hydrogen and Oxygen Evolution in a Membrane Photoreactor Using Suspended Nanosized Au/TiO2 and Au/CeO2 |
| title_short | Hydrogen and Oxygen Evolution in a Membrane Photoreactor Using Suspended Nanosized Au/TiO2 and Au/CeO2 |
| title_sort | hydrogen and oxygen evolution in a membrane photoreactor using suspended nanosized au tio2 and au ceo2 |
| topic | water splitting Z-scheme photocatalysis photocatalytic membrane reactor |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/2305-7084/3/1/5 |
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