Hydrogen production improved mixed oxide TiO2-ZrO2 photocatalyst as semiconductor.

Abstract

In this study the synthesis of the semiconductor oxide TiO2 doped with ZrO2 varying concentrations was using for hydrogen production. The photocatalysts were characterized by N2 phisisortion studies, scanning electron microscopic-energy dispersive analysis, X-ray diffraction studies, UV-vis and Raman spectroscopy. The anatase phase in these materials showed high superficial area, the studies of UV-Vis absorption showed a diminish in the energy band gap in function of the zirconium content. The Raman spectrum indicates that crystalline structure of TiO2 was modified for the presence of cerium. In the photocatalytic activity, the materials showed an increase in the hydrogen production, where, the maximum hydrogen production was achieved at 10 wt. % of the zirconium content.