Issue 7, 2011

A copper and chromium based nanoparticulate oxide as a noble-metal-free cocatalyst for photocatalytic water splitting

Abstract

Nanoparticulate oxides consisting of copper (Cu) and chromium (Cr) were studied as noble-metal-free cocatalysts for photocatalytic water splitting. The structure of the Cu–Cr mixed oxide dispersed on a solid solution of GaN and ZnO (referred to as GaN : ZnO hereafter) was characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), X-ray absorption fine-structure (XAFS) spectroscopy, and electrochemical measurements. The mixed-oxide nanoparticle was an effective promoter of photocatalytic overall water splitting on GaN : ZnO, and was loaded by impregnation from an aqueous solution containing Cu(NO3)2·3H2O and Cr(NO3)3·9H2O followed by calcination in air. Impregnation of GaN : ZnO with 1.5 wt% Cu and 2.0 wt% Cr followed by calcination at 623 K for 1 h provided the highest photocatalytic activity, while catalysts modified with either Cu-oxide or Cr-oxide showed little activity. The activity of this photocatalyst was shown to be strongly dependent on the generation of Cu(II)–Cr(III) mixed-oxide nanoparticles with optimal composition and coverage. The results of electrochemical measurements and photocatalytic reactions also indicated that Cu(II)–Cr(III) mixed-oxide nanoparticles on GaN : ZnO are resistant to both the photoreduction of O2 and water formation from H2 and O2, which are undesirable reverse reactions in overall water splitting.

Graphical abstract: A copper and chromium based nanoparticulate oxide as a noble-metal-free cocatalyst for photocatalytic water splitting

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Edge Article
Submitted
23 Mar 2011
Accepted
11 Apr 2011
First published
12 May 2011

Chem. Sci., 2011,2, 1362-1368

A copper and chromium based nanoparticulate oxide as a noble-metal-free cocatalyst for photocatalytic water splitting

K. Maeda, T. Ohno and K. Domen, Chem. Sci., 2011, 2, 1362 DOI: 10.1039/C1SC00177A

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