Hydrogen evolution from aqueous-phase photocatalytic reforming of ethylene glycol over Pt/TiO2 catalysts: Role of Pt and product distribution

Pt nanoparticles were loaded on anatase TiO 2 by the photodeposition method to investigate their photocatalytic activity for H 2 evolution in an aqueous solution containing a certain amount of ethylene glycol (EG) as the sacrificial agent. The surface properties and chemical states of the Pt/TiO 2 sample were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction analysis, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area analysis, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance, and electrochemical resistance. The aqueous-phase photocatalytic EG reforming using Pt/TiO 2 and anatase TiO 2 generated not only H 2 and CO 2 , but also CO, CH 4 , C 2 H 6 , and C 2 H 4 . Moreover, the amount of formate and acetate complexes in the solution increased gradually. The EG adsorption and gas-phase intermediates during photocatalytic reaction processes were investigated by the in situ FTIR spectrum. Finally, the photocatalytic EG reforming reaction mechanism was elucidated. This helped to better understand the role of a sacrificial agent in a photocatalytic hydrogen production.