Effect of gold loading and TiO2 support composition on the activity of Au/TiO2 photocatalysts for H2 production from ethanol-water mixtures

UV excitation of anatase and rutile nanoparticles in Degussa P25 TiO2 leads to electron-hole pair formation. Photoexcited holes oxidise both ethanol and water, whilst photoexcited electrons migrate onto Au nanoparticles which serve as cathodic sites for efficient H2 production.77