Enhanced hydrogen evolution process of water electrolysis assisted by photocatalysis

TiO₂ nanotubes were synthesized successfully by hydrothermal process using TiO₂ powder and NaOH as the precursor. The anode of water electrolysis equipment was modified by prepared TiO₂ nanotubes. Through photocatalytic hydrogen evolution coupled with water electrolysis, a new process of hydrogen evolution, called as the hydrogen evolution of water electrolysis assisted by photocatalysis(HEWEAP), was proposed and experimental achieved. The rate of hydrogen evolution of HEWEAP in the presence of TiO₂ nanotubes increased by 23% comparing to water electrolysis. X-ray diffraction, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, FE-SEM, TEM and measurement of hydrogen evolution rate were used to characterize the catalyst.