H2 production through oxide irradiation: Comparison of gamma rays and vacuum ultraviolet excitation

► ZrO2 and TiO2 nanoparticle assemblies promote H2O radiolysis and VUV photolysis. ► Metal free photolytic H2 production is observed in TiO2/H2O mixture. ► Radiolytic hydrogen production in ZrO2/H2O mixture is favored by HO scavenging.