Photocatalytic H2generation holds promise
in the green
production of alternative fuels and valuable chemicals. Seeking alternative,
cost-effective, stable, and possibly reusable catalysts represents
a timeless challenge for scientists working in the field. Herein,
commercial RuO2nanostructures were found to be a robust,
versatile, and competitive catalyst in H2photoproduction
in several conditions. We employed it in a classic three-component
system and compared its activities with those of the widely used platinum
nanoparticle catalyst. We observed a hydrogen evolution rate of 0.137
mol h–1g–1and an apparent quantum
efficiency (AQE) of 6.8% in water using EDTA as an electron donor.
Moreover, the favorable employment ofl-cysteine as the electron
source opens possibilities precluded to other noble metal catalyst.
The versatility of the system has also been demonstrated in organic
media with impressive H2production in acetonitrile. The
robustness has been proved by the recovery of the catalyst by centrifugation
and reusage alternatively in different media.