Partial decomposition of methanol by means of thermally- generated holes in TiO_2 for the production of hydrogen

摘要

Titanium dioxide was once extensively investigated as a photoconductor for the electrophotographic photoreceptor at its incunabula. Nowadays, it has attracted attention as a material for photocatalyzers, solar cells as well as their related areas. We report here another application of titanium dioxide. Hydrogen has attracted attention as a clean energy source for the future. We have been involved in complete decomposition of organic wastes (mainly thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers) as well as exhaust of diesel engines (benzene, toluene and paniculate matter) in excess of oxygen by means of thermally-generated holes in TiO_2 at about 350-500 °C. In the present investigation, an attempt has been made to prepare hydrogen by means of thermally-excited holes under oxygen-deficient conditions. Hydrogen is found to be successfully produced from methanol via methane and dimethylether at 400 °C under 5-10 % oxygen together with carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.