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Development of Visible-Light-Active Photocatalyst for Hydrogen Production and Environmental Application

Citation

Choi, Jina (2010) Development of Visible-Light-Active Photocatalyst for Hydrogen Production and Environmental Application. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/90AX-KS12. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:03252010-121803765

Abstract

Semiconductor photocatalysis has been intensively studied in recent decades for a wide variety of application such as hydrogen production from water splitting and water and air treatment. The majority of photocatalysts are, however, wide band-gap semiconductors which are active only under UV irradiation. In order to effectively utilize visible solar radiation, this thesis investigates various types of visible-light active photocatalysts including metal ion-doped TiO₂, nanocomposites of potassium niobate (KNbO₃) and CdS with Ni co-catalyst, and a mixed-phase CdS matrix interlinked with elemental Pt deposits.

Thirteen different metal ion-doped TiO₂ nanoparticles are synthesized. I compare the effects of individual dopants on the resulting physicochemical properties and corresponding photocatalytic activities with respect to the catalysis of several reactions under visible-light irradiation. I found several metal ion-doped Ti₂ nanoparticles such as Pt, Cr, and V had visible-light photocatalytic activities and the presence of rutile phase in these metal ion-doped TiO₂ may affect their photoreactivities. In addition, visible-light photocatalytic activities of TiO₂ are enhanced by co-doping with two metal ions.

Hybrid nanocomposite photocatalysts based on CdS nanoparticles (e.g., Ni(0)/NiO/ KNbO₃/CdS, Zeolite/CdS, and nanocomposites of Q-sized cubic phase CdS and bulk-phase hexagonal CdS interlinked with elemental Pt deposits) are also studied. Different types of CdS nanocomposite photocatalysts are synthesized, optimized, and characterized using various analytical techniques. It is shown that these nanocomposites can enhance inherent photocatalytic activity of bulk-phase CdS for hydrogen production via effective charge separation of photogenerated electrons and holes in CdS under visible-light irradiation.

Additionally, a sub-pilot size hybrid electrochemical system with Bi-doped TiO₂ anodes and SS cathodes for the degradation of organic pollutants and simultaneous hydrogen production has been developed to make the electrochemical system more economically viable. This system degrades a variety of organic pollutants and real wastewater with simultaneous production of hydrogen at the current efficiencies of 50~70%. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that this electrochemical system can be driven by a photovoltaic (PV) cell.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:photocatalysis, photocatalyst, TiO2, CdS, visible light, metal doping, hydrogen production, photocatalytic hydrogen production, electrochemical hydrogen production
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Engineering and Applied Science
Major Option:Environmental Science and Engineering
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Hoffmann, Michael R.
Thesis Committee:
  • Wennberg, Paul O. (chair)
  • Davis, Mark E.
  • Gray, Harry B.
  • Hoffmann, Michael R.
Defense Date:13 October 2009
Record Number:CaltechTHESIS:03252010-121803765
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:03252010-121803765
DOI:10.7907/90AX-KS12
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:5620
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Ji Na Choi
Deposited On:05 Apr 2010 18:36
Last Modified:08 Nov 2019 18:08

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