Effect of niobium on the performance of Pd-TiO2 photocatalysts for hydrogen production

A series of catalysts with growing quantities of Niobium were prepared using Pd as co-catalyst and a high surface area titania support. All samples displayed a constant Pd particle size of ca. 4.6 nm and a support where Niobium appears to be present in the pores of anatase without altering the main oxide primary particle size. The activity of the samples in the hydrogen production under UV and visible illumination was tested and measured using the reaction rate and quantum efficiency parameters. The optimum system has a 1 mol. % of Niobium and is particularly akin to profit from sunlight, showing a quantum efficiency value of 2.8%. The physico-chemical analysis of the activity ground unveils a direct correlation between change handling capability of the samples and the optimization of activity.