Formation of combustible hydrocarbons and H2 during photocatalytic decomposition of various organic compounds under aerated and deaerated conditions

Reaction Rate Study of the Photocatalytic Degradation of Dichloroacetic Acid in a Black Body Reactor

The light-induced degradation of dichloroacetic acid in aqueous suspensions containing the TiO2 photocatalyst Hombikat UV 100 was investigated. The reactions were performed in a black body reactor in which the rate of conversion, defined as the time derivative of the extent of conversion, is not affected by the light scattering properties of the photocatalysts. At sufficiently high concentrations of both the probe compound and the photocatalyst the rate of conversion was found to be unswayed by the initial concentration of the probe compound, the mass concentration of the photocatalyst, and the suspension volume. Thus, the chosen experimental conditions enable the determination of the rate of conversion and the quantum yield of the light induced degradation of dichloroacetic acid in aqueous photocatalyst suspension with sufficiently good reproducibility. The experimental procedure employed here seems to be generally applicable to determine rates of conversion and quantum yields that possibly allow a comparison of the activities of photocatalysts in aqueous suspensions.

CO2-based hydrogen storage – hydrogen liberation from methanol/water mixtures and from anhydrous methanol

New strategies for the reforming of methanol under mild conditions on the basis of heterogeneous and molecular catalysts have raised the hopes and expectations on this fuel. This contribution will focus on the progress achieved in the production of hydrogen from aqueous and anhydrous methanol with molecular and heterogeneous catalysts. The report entails thermal approaches, as well as light-triggered dehydrogenation reactions. A comparison of the efficiency and mechanistic aspects will be made and principles of catalytic pathways operating in biological systems will be also addressed.

Solar Hydrogen Generation from Lignocellulose

Photocatalytic reforming of lignocellulosic biomass is an emerging approach to produce renewable H2 . This process combines photo-oxidation of aqueous biomass with photocatalytic hydrogen evolution at ambient temperature and pressure. Biomass conversion is less energy demanding than water splitting and generates high-purity H2 without O2 production. Direct photoreforming of raw, unprocessed biomass has the potential to provide affordable and clean energy from locally sourced materials and waste.