Comparative study on mesoporous M/LaNaTaO3-based photocatalysts (M = Ag, In, and Nd) for hydrogen generation

Abstract

Facile construction of Ag, In2O3, or Nd2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) incorporated mesoporous LaNaTaO3 nanocrystalline using Pluronic F-127 were explored for photocatalytic H2 generation compared to pristine LaNaTaO3 nanocrystalline. The mesoporous LaNaTaO3 was achieved a little H2 generation ~ 40 µmolg−1; however, H2 generation extremely promotes with the incorporation of Ag, In2O3, and Nd2O3 NPs compared to pristine LaNaTaO3. The yield of the H2 generation of Ag/LaNaTaO3 photocatalyst was greater 75 times than pristine LaNaTaO3. A maximum H2 generation ~1755, 2281.5, and 2965.9 µmolg−1 was achieved for Nd2O3, In2O3, or Ag/LaNaTaO3 photocatalysts, respectively. The H2 generation rate for Ag/LaNaTaO3 photocatalyst was calculated to be ~ 329.5 μmolg−1h−1, 110 times greater than that of pristine LaNaTaO3 (3 μmolg−1h−1). The H2 generation rate of Ag/LaNaTaO3 photocatalyst was faster 1.7 and 1.3 times than that either Nd2O3 or In2O3/LaNaTaO3 photocatalysts, respectively, indicating the highly promoted photocatalytic H2 generation of Ag/LaNaTaO3 photocatalyst. The impact of Ag, In2O3, or Nd2O3 NPs on the morphology, crystal structure, optical, photoelectrochemical, photoluminescence measurement of mesoporous LaNaTaO3 nanocrystalline, and their H2 generation in the existence aqueous glycerol solution were studied in detail.