TiO2 or Nb2O5 composites with graphene or graphene oxide as photocatalysts for Photoreforming of organics to obtain H2

Abstract

The conversion of solar energy into other energy vectors is a promising approach to address the challenges of global sustainability. The production of H2 from sunlight represents an attractive alternative to the use of fossil fuels to meet current energy demands. In this study, photoreforming reaction in the presence of aqueous solutions of ethanol, glycerol or microplastics (polyethylene terephthalate or polylactic acid) aqueous dispersions and of a semiconductor irradiated under UV or natural solar light were performed to obtain H2. The heterogeneous photocatalysts used consisted of an oxide (Nb2O5 or TiO2) forming a composite with a carbon-based material such as graphene (G) or graphene oxide (GO).