UV assisted on titanium doped electrode for hydrogen evolution from artificial wastewater

Formaldehyde (H₂CO) is the harmful chemical that used in variety of industries. However, there are many difficulties to treat discharged H₂CO in the wastewater. Hydrogen energy is arising as a one of the renewable energy that can replace fossil fuel. Many researches have been conducted on hydrogen production from electrolysis using expensive metal electrodes and catalysts such as platinum (Pt) and palladium (Pd). However, they are expensive and have obstacles to directly use from the production. We used copper (Cu) as an electrode substrate because it has a good current density. To avoid corrosion issue of Cu substrate, we used commercially available carbon (C) coated Cu substrate and synthesized titanium (Ti) on C/Cu substrate. We found that Ti was well synthesized and stayed on substrate after hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in artificial wastewater. Moreover, we quantified hydrogen production from the wastewater and compared it to pure water. Hydrogen production was enhanced in wastewater and H₂CO was decomposed after reaction. We expected to use Ti-C/Cu electrode for hydrogen production of wastewater by electrolysis.