Photocatalytic decomposition of acetaldehyde-contained wastewater was assessed for the degradation of pollutants and the production of hydrogen. Liquid phase plasma was applied in the photoreaction as a light source. The evolution of hydrogen and acetaldehyde degradation were characterized by the photocatalytic decomposition system. Ni-loaded TiO2 photo catalysts and various porous materials were introduced to the photocatalytic reaction. The photochemical decomposition by irradiation of the liquid phase plasma without photo catalysts produced some hydrogen evolution with the degradation of acetaldehyde, which was attributed to the decomposition of the reactant by active species generated by the irradiation of liquid phase plasma. The Ni loading on TiO2 brought out an enhancement of acetaldehyde degradation and hydrogen evolution. In the photocatalysis of acetaldehyde-contained wastewater using the liquid phase plasma, hydrogen evolution was accelerated due to the additional hydrogen production by the photocatalytic decomposition of acetaldehyde. The porous materials could be used as an effective photocatalytic support. MCM-41 mesoporous material has acted as a highly efficient photocatalytic support to the TiO2 photocatalyst. (C) 2017 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.