Photocatalytic hydrogen generation using metal-decorated TiO2 : sacrificial donors vs true water splitting

Abstract

Water splitting is the chemical reaction where water is broken down into oxygen and hydrogen. The paper proposes that if common water contaminants such as organic matter in river water can be used as ‘sacrificial electron donors’ (SEDs), then photocatalytic solar exposure could generate hydrogen while destroying pollutants, including bacterial water contaminants. Rather than dismiss SED use as irrelevant, SEDs with zero value (as in the case of water contaminants) could be argued to have a negative value, as their destruction enhances the uses and value of the waters that contain them. Efficient and economical photochemical water splitting could create a hydrogen economy.

Description

Keywords

NANOTECHNOLOGY, NANOSCIENCE, HYDROGEN, SOLAR RADIATION, CHEMISTRY, WATER QUALITY, DRINKING WATER, WATER POLLUTION, CANADA, NORTH AND CENTRAL AMERICA

Citation

DOI