Visible—Light Driven Systems: Effect of the Parameters Affecting Hydrogen Production through Photoreforming of Organics in Presence of Cu2O/TiO2 Nanocomposite Photocatalyst

Several studies have shown that combining TiO2 and Cu2O enhances the photocatalytic activity of material by generating a heterojunction capable extending light absorption in visible reducing electron-hole recombination rate. Ball milling has been chosen as an alternative methodology for photocatalyst preparation, among several techniques documented literature review. The results previously reported investigation enabled identification most effective can be prepared hydrogen generation (i.e., 1%wt. ball-milling method at 200 rpm 1 min time). To optimize presence greatest photocatalyst, effects (i) sacrificial species their concentration, (ii) temperature, (iii) pH system are taken into account, resulting light-to-chemical energy efficiency 8% under best-tested conditions. Last but not least, possibility using present direct solar irradiation is evaluated: indicate nearly 60% production recorded sunlight attributed to component spectrum, while remaining 40% UV component.