Selective Alcohol Dehydrogenation and Hydrogenolysis with Semiconductor-Metal Photocatalysts: Toward Solar-to-Chemical Energy Conversion of Biomass-Relevant Substrates
| Title | Selective Alcohol Dehydrogenation and Hydrogenolysis with Semiconductor-Metal Photocatalysts: Toward Solar-to-Chemical Energy Conversion of Biomass-Relevant Substrates |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 2012 |
| Authors | Ruberu TPA, Nelson NC, Slowing II, Vela J |
| Journal Title | Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters |
| Volume | 3 |
| Pages | 2798-2802 |
| Date Published | 10 |
| Type of Article | Article |
| ISBN Number | 1948-7185 |
| Accession Number | WOS:000309505400011 |
| Keywords | benzyl alcohol, cdse, h-2 evolution, heterostructures, HYDROCARBONS, LIQUID-PHASE OXIDATION, nanocrystals, nanoparticles, VISIBLE-LIGHT, water |
| Abstract | Photocatalytic conversion of biomass is a potentially transformative concept in renewable energy. Dehydrogenation and hydrogenolysis of biomass-derived alcohols can produce renewable fuels such as H-2 and hydrocarbons, respectively. We have successfully used semiconductor-metal heterostructures for sunlight-driven dehydrogenation and hydrogenolysis of benzyl alcohol. The hetero-structure composition dictates activity, product distribution, and turnovers. A few metal (M = Pt, Pd) islands on the semiconductor (SC) surface significantly enhance activity and selectivity and also greatly stabilize the SC against photoinduced etching and degradation. Under selected conditions, CdS-Pt favors dehydrogenation (H-2) over hydrogenolysis (toluene) 8:1, whereas CdS0.4Se0.6-Pd favors hydrogenolysis over dehydrogenation 3:1. Photochemically generated, surface-adsorbed hydrogen is useful in tandem catalysis, for example, via transfer hydrogenation. We expect this work will lead to new paradigms for sunlight-driven conversions of biomass-relevant substrates. |
| URL | <Go to ISI>://WOS:000309505400011 |
| DOI | 10.1021/jz301309d |
| Alternate Journal | J. Phys. Chem. Lett. |
