Photofuel cells using glucose-doped titania

Glucose-doped titania electrodes were prepared from titanium alkoxide sols containing glucose in order to examine the validity of the fuel material concentrated on the photocatalyst surface. The observed photocurrent and CO2 and H2O productions indicated that the oxidation of the glucose enhanced the generation of electricity during the UV irradiation. Steam treatment of the electrodes improved the glucose oxidation and the photocurrent. However, refluxing of the precursor sol did not improve them. Not only the titania conductivity, but also the contact between the glucose and titania is important in order to obtain a high photofuel electric conversion. The concentration of the fuel material on the photocatalyst surface improved the energy conversion efficiency.

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► Glucose-doped titania electrodes were prepared by a sol–gel method.
► Photocatalytic oxidation of the glucose enhanced the generation of electricity.
► Steam treatment of the electrodes improved the glucose oxidation and the electricity.
► CO2 and H2O were observed as the photocatalytic products.
► The contact between the glucose and titania is important for the high reactivity.