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Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation from Pure Water using Silicon Carbide Nanoparticles
Author(s) -
Zhang Yuliang,
Xia Ting,
Wallenmeyer Petra,
Harris Cindel X.,
Peterson Appie A.,
Corsiglia Gerald A.,
Murowchick James,
Chen Xiaobo
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
energy technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.91
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 2194-4296
pISSN - 2194-4288
DOI - 10.1002/ente.201300124
Subject(s) - photocatalysis , materials science , nanoparticle , catalysis , silicon carbide , hydrogen , hydrogen production , chemical engineering , methanol , water splitting , visible spectrum , carbide , photocatalytic water splitting , reagent , nanotechnology , chemistry , metallurgy , organic chemistry , optoelectronics , engineering
We report here the photocatalytic hydrogen generation from pure (deionized) water under simulated solar light with silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles, without the assistance of sacrificial reagents or precious metal co‐catalysts. We have studied the pH effects of the addition of methanol and the loading of a Pt co‐catalyst on the photocatalytic hydrogen generation efficiency of SiC nanoparticles. We have found that SiC nanoparticles display the best photocatalytic hydrogen generation efficiency in pure water. SiC nanoparticles show activity in both ultraviolet (UV) and visible‐light regions. The addition of methanol in water or loading of Pt nanoparticles on the surface lowers their activity. Thus, SiC nanoparticles may serve as an ideal model photocatalyst for future studies in generating hydrogen from pure water.