Mechanistic Considerations on the H2 Production by Methanol Thermal‐assisted Photocatalytic Reforming over Cu/TiO2 Catalyst

Abstract We have studied the gas phase H 2 production by methanol thermo‐photoreforming using Cu‐modified TiO 2 . Metal co‐catalyst has been deposited by means of photodeposition method. The concentration of methanol in the steam was also considered. It appears that H 2 production is notably higher as temperature increases. Moreover, the optimum H 2 yield is achieved using methanol concentration of 10 % v/v. CO and CO 2 were monitored as side products of the overall reaction. It has been stated that CO evolution is significant at lower temperatures. As temperature increases, CO evolution is hindered and H 2 appeared boosted. We have demonstrated that other reactions such water‐gas‐shift or formate dehydration would participate in the overall process. On this basis, optimal operational condition for H 2 production is attained for thermo‐photocatalytic reforming of methanol solution 10 % v/v at 200 °C.