Hydrogen Production over Eosin Y-Sensitized Pt-Loaded Layered Lanthanum Niobate under Visible Light Irradiation

Abstract

A novel and highly efficient photocatalyst, Eosin Y-sensitized Pt-intercalated nanotube Pt/HLa Nb 2 O 7 , was found to be very active for hydrogen generation within triethanolamine (TEOA) solution as the electron donor under visible-light irradiation ( λ 420 nm). The photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS), scan electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The results showed that the significant enhancement of photocatalytic activity was achieved via Pt intercalating and subsequent dye sensitization of Pt/HLaNb 2 O 7 . The highest rate for hydrogen evolution was 4.45 mmol·g -1 ·h -1 under irradiation with a wavelength longer than 420 nm, and the probable mechanism of photosensitized hydrogen evolution have also been discussed.