Photocatalytic H2 evolution over a new visible-light-driven photocatalyst In12NiCr2Ti10O42

A new visible-light-driven photocatalyst In12NiCr2Ti10O42 crystallized in a monoclinic system with the space group P21/a was synthesized by a solid-state reaction method. The photophysical and photocatalytic properties of In12NiCr2Ti10O42 were investigated. The band gap energy was estimated from the UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectrum to be ∼2.14 eV. Efficient H2 was evolved from aqueous methanol solution over Pt (0.2 wt%)/In12NiCr2Ti10O42 powder photocatalyst under visible light irradiation. A possible band structure for In12NiCr2Ti10O42 was proposed in accordance with the crystal structure, photophysical and photocatalytic properties. The present study suggests a promising method for the development of visible-light-responsive photocatalysts with tailed properties by properly utilizing appropriate transition metals.