Chinese Journal of Catalysis ›› 2012, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (2): 247-253.DOI: 10.1016/S1872-2067(10)60276-8

• Research papers • Previous Articles     Next Articles

H2 Production with Low CO Selectivity from Photocatalytic Reforming of Glucose on Ni/TiO2-SiO2

R. M. MOHAMED1,2,3,*, Elham S. AAZAM1   

  1. 1Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, King Saudi Arabia; 2Nanostructured Materials Division, Advanced Materials Department, Central Metallurgical R&D Institute, Helwan 11421, Cairo, Egypt; 3Center of Excellence in Environmental Studies, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80216, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
  • Received:2011-06-14 Revised:2011-09-03 Online:2012-02-20 Published:2015-07-27

Abstract:  Nano-sized Ni particles on TiO2-SiO2 were synthesized by the two methods of photo-assisted deposition (PAD) and impregnation. H2, which is a promising energy carrier, with a low CO concentration was produced by the photocatalytic reforming of glucose (a model biomass) on the Ni/TiO2-SiO2 catalyst. The supported Ni enhanced the rate of H2 production while it suppressed CO selectivity. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray absorption fine structure, transmission electron microscope, and nitrogen adsorption analysis. Both H2 production and CO selectivity were strongly dependent on the preparation method, and PAD-Ni/TiO2-SiO2 was the better catalyst for H2 production with the lowest CO concentration.

Key words: titanium dioxide, silicon dioxide, nickel doping, hydrogen production