Visible-light driven photocatalyst (Er3+:YAlO3/Pt–NaTaO3) for hydrogen production from water splitting

NaTaO3 nanoparticles were synthesized by hydrothermal method and then the corresponding visible-light photocatalyst (Er3+:YAlO3/Pt–NaTaO3) was successfully prepared by mixing with Er3+:YAlO3 as up-conversion luminescence agent and supporting Pt as co-catalyst. The prepared Er3+:YAlO3/Pt–NaTaO3 was characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). By studying some influence factors such as Er3+:YAlO3 and Pt–NaTaO3 mass ratio, heat-treated temperature, visible-light irradiation time and solution acidity (pH) on the visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen production caused by Er3+:YAlO3/Pt–NaTaO3, it was found that the prepared Er3+:YAlO3/Pt–NaTaO3 with 0.3:1.0 mass ratio heat-treated at 500 °C for 120 min in weak acidic solution (pH = 5.0–6.0) with 5.0 wt% methanol displayed a high photocatalytic activity in hydrogen production from water solution.