DESIGN OF NOVEL MATERIALS FOR PHOTO-THERMO-CATALYTIC SOLAR FUELS PRODUCTION
type: CreativeWork
description: The global challenge of transitioning to sustainable energy sources underscores the critical need for innovative technologies that can harness solar energy for fuel production. Among various strategies, the generation of solar fuels, such as hydrogen (H2) through water splitting or alcohol reforming, and the conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) into valuable chemicals, has emerged as a highly promising route. Photocatalysis, which uses light to drive chemical reactions, offers a sustainable approach, but it faces significant limitations, primarily due to the low efficiency of light absorption and conversion by conventional semiconductor catalysts with wide bandgaps. A novel approach to overcome these limitations involves integrating heat with photocatalysis, a process known as photo-thermo-catalysis (PTC). PTC advantage the combined effects of light and heat, enhancing reaction rates and improving overall solar energy utilization. This PhD project aimed to develop and optimize catalytic systems for PTC, focusing on methanol steam reforming (MSR) for hydrogen production and CO2 reduction, while also deepening the understanding of reaction mechanisms through advanced in-situ techniques. The first phase of the project involved designing and building a bench-scale experimental setup capable of simultaneously studying the effects of light and heat on catalytic processes. Titanium dioxide (TiO2)-based materials, a well-known photocatalyst, were chosen as the initial focus. These materials were tested for hydrogen production via MSR, with and without the addition of noble metal nanoparticles like platinum (Pt), which are known to enhance charge carrier separation and improve catalytic activity. The study revealed that TiO2, both in its pure form and decorated with Pt nanoparticles, exhibited significant photocatalytic activity at room temperature. However, the introduction of heat substantially boosted the hydrogen production rate. Notably, Pt/TiO2 demonstrated two distinct …
abstract: The global challenge of transitioning to sustainable energy sources underscores the critical need for innovative technologies that can harness solar energy for fuel production. Among various strategies, the generation of solar fuels, such as hydrogen (H2) through water splitting or alcohol reforming, and the conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) into valuable chemicals, has emerged as a highly promising route. Photocatalysis, which uses light to drive chemical reactions, offers a sustainable approach, but it faces significant limitations, primarily due to the low efficiency of light absorption and conversion by conventional semiconductor catalysts with wide bandgaps. A novel approach to overcome these limitations involves integrating heat with photocatalysis, a process known as photo-thermo-catalysis (PTC). PTC advantage the combined effects of light and heat, enhancing reaction rates and improving overall solar energy utilization. This PhD project aimed to develop and optimize catalytic systems for PTC, focusing on methanol steam reforming (MSR) for hydrogen production and CO2 reduction, while also deepening the understanding of reaction mechanisms through advanced in-situ techniques. The first phase of the project involved designing and building a bench-scale experimental setup capable of simultaneously studying the effects of light and heat on catalytic processes. Titanium dioxide (TiO2)-based materials, a well-known photocatalyst, were chosen as the initial focus. These materials were tested for hydrogen production via MSR, with and without the addition of noble metal nanoparticles like platinum (Pt), which are known to enhance charge carrier separation and improve catalytic activity. The study revealed that TiO2, both in its pure form and decorated with Pt nanoparticles, exhibited significant photocatalytic activity at room temperature. However, the introduction of heat substantially boosted the hydrogen production rate. Notably, Pt/TiO2 demonstrated two distinct …
author: LIVOLSI, SIMONE
language: eng
keywords: Photocatalysi, Photo-thermo-catalysi, Hydrogen production, Settore CHEM-02/A - Chimica fisica
date published: 2025-07-14
date modified: 2026-07-27T20:18:46Z
provider: Università degli Studi di Milano
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: Università degli Studi di Milano

PropertyValue
property ID: Handle
value: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/1174564