Visible-Light Activated Titania and Its Application to Photoelectrocatalytic Hydrogen Peroxide Production

Photoelectrochemical cells have been constructed with photoanodes based on mesoporous titania deposited on transparent electrodes and sensitized in the Visible by nanoparticulate CdS or CdS combined with CdSe. The cathode electrode was an air-breathing carbon cloth carrying nanoparticulate carbon. These cells functioned in the Photo Fuel Cell mode, i.e., without bias, simply by shining light on the photoanode. The cathode functionality was governed by a two-electron oxygen reduction, which led to formation of hydrogen peroxide. Thus, these devices were employed for photoelectrocatalytic hydrogen peroxide production. Two-compartment cells have been used, carrying different electrolytes in the photoanode and cathode compartments. Hydrogen peroxide production has been monitored by using various electrolytes in the cathode compartment. In the presence of NaHCO₃, the Faradaic efficiency for hydrogen peroxide production exceeded 100% due to a catalytic effect induced by this electrolyte. Photocurrent has been generated by either a CdS/TiO₂ or a CdSe/CdS/TiO₂ combination, both functioning in the presence of sacrificial agents. Thus, in the first case ethanol was used as fuel, while in the second case a mixture of Na₂S with Na₂SO₃ has been employed.