Promotion of Generation of Hydrogen by Splitting of Water by CNT Over Pt/TiO2 Catalysts

The generation of hydrogen over CNT/Pt/TiO(2) catalysts by the splitting of water under irradiation with UV light is studied. The maximum rate of evolution of hydrogen was 2300 mu molg(-1) h(-1) on 0.06 wt% Pt/TiO(2) (sol-gel) and reached a stable value of approximately 2000 mu molg(-1) h(-1) when the Pt loading exceeded at a Pt loading of over 0.06 wt%. Single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were applied to enhance the hydrogen generation activity. The evolution rate of hydrogen on 0.06 wt% Pt/0.02 wt% SWCNT-TiO(2) (sol-gel) was 3836,mu molh(-1)g(-1). 0.1 M NaCl yielded more hydrogen than any other tested salt. The XRD spectra show that the crystal lattices of commercial TiO(2) (ST-21) and self-made TiO(2) (sol-gel method) are of the anatase form. However, the TEM images and other catalytic activity data show that the SWCNTs act as wires for the transmission of electrons.