Synthesis of Pt-CeVO4 nanocomposites and their enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity under sunlight

• Published in: Journal of industrial and engineering chemistry (Seoul, Korea) Vol. 125; pp. 277 - 283
• Main Authors: Noh, Heejin, Lee, Jaeyoung, Ma, Hyeonjong, Shin, Jiwoo, Roh, Ilpyo, Yang, Jiwoong, Yu, Taekyung
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 25.09.2023; 한국공업화학회
• Subjects: Electron density modification; Nanocomposite; Noble metal–semiconductor; Photocatalytic hydrogen production; Upward band bending; 화학공학; Noble metal–semiconductor; Nanocomposite; Photocatalytic hydrogen production; Upward band bending; Electron density modification
• ISSN: 1226-086X; 1876-794X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jiec.2023.05.037

[Display omitted] •Synthesis of Pt-CeVO4 with controlled Pt ratio using aqueous phase synthesis method.•Modification of electron density occurred by upward band bending.•Significantly improved photocatalytic H2 production compared to Pt and CeVO4. The environmental pollution problem caused by fossil fuels, a nonrecyclable resource, becomes more serious every year. Therefore, the development of technology to produce alternative energy in a carbon–neutral way is urgent. In this regard, solar-powered H2 production from water using particulate photocatalysts is considered the most economical and robust approach to producing carbon–neutral H2 fuels. Using Pt-CeVO4 nanocomposites with controllable amounts of Pt nanoparticles (NPs) on CeVO4 as a photocatalyst, a superior H2 production rate of 220.68 mmol g-1h−1 was achieved, which was five times higher than that of Pt NPs. In the Pt-CeVO4 catalyst, CeVO4 affected the electron density of Pt through upward band bending, which dramatically improved the H2 generation ability. Our research is a competent study that satisfies the dual purpose of 1) achieving maximum reaction efficiency using a small amount of noble metal while providing important insights that 2) proper contact of metal and semiconductor materials can exponentially enhance photocatalytic performance.