Green Cu2O/TiO2 heterojunction for glycerol photoreforming

Miguel O. Segovia-Guzmán, Manuel Román-Aguirre, José Y. Verde-Gomez, Virginia H. Collins-Martínez, Gerardo Zaragoza-Galán, Víctor H. Ramos-Sánchez

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

A rapid and sustainable route for synthesizing a green photocatalyst based on nanometric Cu2O clusters dispersed on TiO2 (≈ 2 wt%) was developed. These nanoclusters were synthesized using reducing sugars (0.85 wt%) from aqueous onion waste (Allium cepa) as reducing and stabilizing agent. All this under microwave irradiation. Green photocatalysts produced hydrogen through glycerol photoreforming, ca. 4.7 mmol H2/gcat. The recyclability and reusability of these materials were demonstrated and the achieved heterojunction between Cu2O and TiO2 exhibited a bandgap within the visible spectrum at 2.80 eV, showing potential feasibility to solarize this process.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)88-97
Number of pages10
JournalCatalysis Today
Volume349
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2020
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Glycerol photoreforming
  • Green photocatalysts
  • Microwave-assisted synthesis
  • Onion (Allium cepa) waste
  • Solar hydrogen

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Catalysis
  • General Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Green Cu2O/TiO2 heterojunction for glycerol photoreforming'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this