On the processes of photo-induced hydrogen generation from methanol solution by Ta3N5 and WO3

Abstract The hydrogen production rates from deionized water and 20% methanol solution, with or without the presence of Ta 3 N 5 , WO 3 , and the indirect Z-scheme Ta 3 N 5 /WO 3 , were investigated. Under irradiation of a 300 W Xe lamp, all of these three catalysts assisted hydrogen generation in deionized water. In the methanol solution, Ta 3 N 5 , and WO 3 reduced the hydrogen generation, but Ta 3 N 5 /WO 3 significantly enhanced the hydrogen production rate by seven times. Under visible light irradiation, the effects of the three catalysts are different from those under full spectrum irradiation. The mechanisms based on the competition of methanol decomposition and water reduction in the presence of catalyst under different irradiation conditions are proposed to explain the different hydrogen generation behaviors.