Production of hydrogen from gas-phase ethanol dehydrogenation over iron-grafted mesoporous Pt/TiO2 photocatalysts

We report the photocatalytic activity of iron-grafted mesoporous Pt/TiO2 catalysts, combining properties heterojunction photocatalysts with mesoporosity, for gas-phase production hydrogen from water-ethanol mixtures. GC–MS analysis reveals a preferential ethanol dehydrogenation reaction pathway, resulting in formation acetaldehyde high selectivity versus carbon dioxide, all catalysts investigated. Multi-technique characterization that, samples, Fe is located predominantly on surfaces as Fe2O3 rather than doping anatase structure, while mesoporosity starting TiO2 preserved. Among different materials, optimum catalyst lowest iron content. According to XPS and time-resolved fluorescence measurements, this can be accounted by higher surface dispersion consequent efficient between that favours charge separation.