10BaF2:NaF, Na3AlF6/TiO2 composite as a novel visible-light-driven photocatalyst based on upconversion emission

Abstract

A rare-earth free upconversion luminescent material, 10BaF2:NaF, Na3AlF6, is synthesized by a hydrothermal method. The study of fluorescent spectrum indicates that it can convert visible light (550 nm—610 nm) into ultraviolet light (290 nm—350 nm), and two emission peaks at 304 nm and 324 nm are observed under the excitation of 583 nm at room temperature. Subsequently, 10BaF2:NaF, Na3AlF6/TiO2 composite photocatalyst is prepared and its catalytic activity is evaluated by the photocatalytic reduction of CO2 under visible light irradiation (λ > 515 nm). The results show that 10BaF2:NaF, Na3AlF6/TiO2 is a more effective photocatalyst for CO2 reduction than pure TiO2, their corresponding methanol yields are 179 and 0 μmol/g-cat under the same conditions. Additionally, the mechanism of photocatalytic reduction of CO2 on 10BaF2:NaF, Na3AlF6/TiO2 is proposed.