Photocatalytic Water Oxidation by a Pyrochlore Oxide upon Irradiation with Visible Light: Rhodium Substitution Into Yttrium Titanate

Abstract

AbstractA stable visible‐light‐driven photocatalyst (λ≥450 nm) for water oxidation is reported. Rhodium substitution into the pyrochlore Y2Ti2O7 is demonstrated by monitoring Vegard′s law evolution of the unit‐cell parameters with changing rhodium content, to a maximum content of 3 % dopant. Substitution renders the solid solutions visible‐light active. The overall rate of oxygen evolution is comparable to WO3 but with superior light‐harvesting and surface‐area‐normalized turnover rates, making Y2Ti1.94Rh0.06O7 an excellent candidate for use in a Z‐scheme water‐splitting system.