Nafion-Integrated Resorcinol-Formaldehyde Resin Photocatalysts for Solar Hydrogen Peroxide Production
Yasuhiro Shiraishi, Masahiro Jio, Koki Yoshida, Yoshihiro Nishiyama, Satoshi Ichikawa, Shunsuke Tanaka, Takayuki Hirai
Abstract
High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Photocatalytic generation of H 2 O 2 from water and O 2 is a promising strategy for liquid solar-fuel production. Previously reported powder photocatalysts promote a subsequent oxidative/reductive decomposition of the H 2 O 2 generated, thereby producing low-H 2 O 2 -content solutions. This study reports that Nafion (Nf)-integrated resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) semiconducting resin powders ( [email protected] ), synthesized by polycondensation of resorcinol and formaldehyde with an Nf dispersion solution under high-temperature hydrothermal conditions, exhibit high photocatalytic activities and produce high-H 2 O 2 -content solutions. Nf acts as a surface stabilizer and suppresses the growth of RF resins. This generates small Nf-woven resin particles with large surface areas and efficiently catalyze water oxidation and O 2 reduction. The Nf-woven resin surface, due to its hydrophobic nature, hinders the access of H 2 O 2 and suppresses its subsequent decomposition. The simulated-sunlight irradiation of the resins in water under atmospheric pressure of O 2 stably generates H 2 O 2, producing high-H 2 O 2 -content solutions with more than 0.06 wt % H 2 O 2 (16 mM).