Photodissociation of water using colloidal nanoparticles of doped titanium (IV) oxide semiconductors for hydrogen production

摘要

Selective photo-production of hydrogen was achieved with visible range solar radiation without application of any external potential. Aqueous solutions of TiO sub(2) doped with different percentages of V sub(2)O sub(5) were used to maximize the absorption of visible light. The effects of the hole-scavengers such as poly-anions and solvated-electron suppliers were studied. Studies show that in phosphate buffer, 5% V sub(2)O sub(5) generated maximum photocurrent. Potassium ferrocyanide gives the most promising results as a solvated-electron supplier and electron exchanger in basic phosphate buffer. The aqueous nanosystems that we used retained their stability as indicated by the reproducibility of their photocatalytic activities. Solar-radiated assemblies of doped TiO sub(2)/[Fe(CN) sub(6)] super(4-) sustained cyclic systems for continuous hydrogen production.