Hydrogen production by photocatalytic ethanol reforming using Eu- and S-doped anatase

Pure or S- and Eu-doped nanocrystalline titania has been synthesized by precipitation in aqueous solutions of TiSO4 in the presence of urea. Spherical aggregates were formed made of nanoparticles of size ranging between 33 and 46 nm. The samples were calcined at 700-750 °C and this allowed for making materials with high degree of crystallinity. Doping preserved the anatase phase and allowed for a substantial value of specific surface in spite of the high temperature annealing. The photocatalytic capacity of doped and undoped samples was monitored by photocatalytic alcohol reforming and hydrogen production. Only samples co-doped with Pt nanoparticles produced hydrogen. Doping with either S, Eu or both gave much more efficient photocatalysts than the undoped samples. The superiority of doped samples is assigned to a larger specific surface and to the impeding of electron-hole recombination in that case.