Towards the hydrogen production by photocatalysis

Nowadays, problems derived from climate change urgently demand us to focus our attention on new alternatives to fossil fuels. Within this framework, the photocatalytic production of hydrogen as a clean fuel from oxygenates arises as a necessary option that must be considered. Thus, the development of highly efficient photocatalyst is crucial in order to achieve…

A comparative study of Bi2WO6, CeO2, and TiO2 as catalysts for selective photo-oxidation of alcohols to carbonyl compounds

Several semiconductors based on ceria or bismuth tungstate were tested for selective oxidation of alcohols to carbonyl compounds in a search for photocatalysts more selective than TiO2. Gas-phase selective photo-oxidation of propan-2-ol to acetone and liquid-phase transformation of 2-buten-1-ol (crotyl alcohol) to 2-butenal (crotonaldehyde) were studied as test reactions. In both processes the highest selectivities…

On the origin of the photocatalytic activity improvement of BIVO4 through rare earth tridoping

Rare earth (Tm3+/Er3+,Yb3+,Y3+) tri-doped BiVO4 have been synthesized by means of a surfactant free hydrothermal method having good photoactivities under sun-like excitation for the degradation of methylene blue and O-2 evolution reactions. The improved photocatalytic performance has been attained by multiple approach of the overall photocatalytic mechanism. From the structural and morphological characterization it has…

Glycerol steam reforming on bimetallic NiSn/CeO2-MgO-Al2O3 catalysts: Influence of the support, reaction parameters and deactivation/regeneration processes

NiSn bimetallic catalysts supported over Al2O3 modified with different promoter (Mg and/or Ce) were prepared and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 sorptometry, and temperature programmed reduction (TPR). Hydrogen production by glycerol steam reforming over these catalysts was investigated. Among the catalysts, NiSn/AlMgCe catalyst shows the highest hydrogen yield as well as the best stability during…

Role of activated carbon on the increased photocatalytic activity of AC/Bi2WO6 coupled materials

The photocatalytic activities of several Bi2WO6 and TiO2/Bi2WO6 materials with different activated carbon (AC) contents were studied for Rhodamine B (RhB) (and Phenol) photodegradation under UV–vis and vis illumination. A wide characterization of the materials was carried out. The addition of AC strongly affected the Bi2WO6 morphology although not the crystalline phase. Even in the…

Sub-ambient CO oxidation over mesoporous Co3O4: Effect of morphology on its reduction behavior and catalytic performance

The influence of the Co 3O 4 morphology on its redox behavior and catalytic performance in the CO oxidation reaction is studied. Three different Co 3O 4 morphologies were synthesized by precipitation and hydrothermal methods. TEM and SEM observations clearly show the different obtained morphologies: rods, wires and a mixture of plates and cubes. The…

Gold supported cryptomelane-type manganese dioxide OMS-2 nanomaterials deposited on AISI 304 stainless steels monoliths for CO oxidation

Gold supported on cryptomelane-type OMS-2 catalysts deposited on AISI 304 stainless steels monoliths have been prepared for the first time, characterised and tested in the CO oxidation reaction. An easy and non-conventional method of incorporation of gold to the cryptomelane solid is used. This method allows the preparation of the monolithic catalysts without altering the…