Hydrogen production by photocatalytic water-splitting on Pt-doped TiO2–ZnO under visible light

Pt/TiO2–ZnO photocatalytic materials were prepared for the generation of hydrogen gas from water splitting. The photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-visible spectra (UV–Vis), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The absorption wavelength of TiO2 was shifted to longer wavelength on Pt/TiO2–ZnO. A 400 W mercury arc lamp with a cutoff filter
which filter out all the wavelengths under 400 nm as the visible light source. It reached up to the optimum value of 203 μmolh−1g−1 on TiO2–ZnO (Ti/Zn = 10). A catalyst of 0.5 wt% Pt/TiO2–ZnO (Ti/Zn = 10) was used and a best hydrogen production rate through water splitting was reaching to 2150 μmolh−1g−1.The 0.1 wt% Pt/TiO2–ZnO showed a satisfying long-term stability, and 88% and 77% of initial hydrogen
productivity still remained after 7 days and 14 days, respectively.