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Enhancement of Photocatalytic Activity by Site Poisoning Platinum Doped Titanium Dioxide

Chu, Yang
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1417454495

Abstract Details

2014, Master of Science, University of Akron, Polymer Science.
Photoelectrochemical cell (PEC) is a device that could interconvert chemicals and electricity with the energy of light by the photovoltaic effect1. PEC is widely studied recently for hydrogen production and waste organics degradation2. The main structure is composed of photocatalyst, electrolyte, counter electrode and power supply. Water and organics are converted to hydrogen and carbon dioxide gases by irradiating the photocatalyst with ultraviolet radiation. The challenge for commercialization is mainly because of the low efficiency. Extensive research has been directed toward developing highly active photocatalysts by the doping of platinum. Platinum doped titanium dioxide (Pt-TiO2) has shown the ability to faster degrade organics than TiO23, 4. The mechanism is that the low potential of platinum that functions as a trap for the electrons and thus reduces the electron-hole recombination. However, there has not been a significant breakthrough that can lead PEC to commercialization. Recently, we hypothesize that selectively poisoning the electron generating site could significantly reduce the electron-hole recombination. Pt-TiO2 was treated with hydrogen sulfur (Pt-TiO2/H2S) at high temperature and H2S were converted to sulfur and completely covered the platinum. Characterization of TiO2, Pt-TiO2 and Pt-TiO2/H2S both in powder and thin film format was done by infrared spectroscopy (IR), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Ethanol and some other organics are added in electrolyte to increase the current density of the PEC and produce more hydrogen due to the lower oxidation potential than water5. Comparing the working electrode of TiO2, Pt-TiO2 and Pt-TiO2/H2S in PEC, we analyzed the different amount of gaseous products, the current density and the degradation of methylene blue. The results showed that Pt-TiO2/H2S has the best oxidative activity per unit thickness of catalyst. This research will lead us to find the applications of PEC in utilization of the shale gas that can provide the energy with high efficiency and environmental friendly in the future.
Steven Chuang, Dr. (Advisor)
Xiong Gong, Dr. (Committee Member)
104 p.
Polymer Chemistry; Polymers

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Chu, Y. (2014). Enhancement of Photocatalytic Activity by Site Poisoning Platinum Doped Titanium Dioxide [Master's thesis, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1417454495

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Chu, Yang. Enhancement of Photocatalytic Activity by Site Poisoning Platinum Doped Titanium Dioxide . 2014. University of Akron, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1417454495.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Chu, Yang. "Enhancement of Photocatalytic Activity by Site Poisoning Platinum Doped Titanium Dioxide ." Master's thesis, University of Akron, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1417454495

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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