Highly efficient near-infrared light photocatalytic hydrogen evolution over MoS2 supported Ta2O5 combined with an up-conversion luminescence agent (β-Tm3+, Yb3+:NaYF4/MoS2–Ta2O5 nanocomposite). (23rd March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shu, Xiaoqing; Zhao, Cheng; Zhang, Xu; Liu, Xudong; Xing, Zhiqiang; Fang, Dawei; Wang, Jun; Song, Youtao
• Is Part Of: New journal of chemistry. Volume 42:Number 8(2018)
• Page Start: 6134
• Page End: 6143
• Publication Date: 2018-03-23
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; Chimie -- Périodiques; 540
• DOI: 10.1039/c7nj04993e
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1144-0546

Abstract

Abstract : The photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity of Ta2 O5 can be greatly enhanced by adding up-conversion luminescence agent (β-Tm 3+, Yb 3+ :NaYF4 ) and co-catalyst (MoS2 ). Abstract : Here, an effective infrared-ultraviolet up-conversion luminescence agent (β-Tm 3+, Yb 3+ :NaYF4 ) is synthesized by a hydrothermal method and the corresponding photocatalyst (β-Tm 3+, Yb 3+ :NaYF4 /MoS2 –Ta2 O5 ) is successfully prepared. The compositions and morphologies of the prepared β-Tm 3+, Yb 3+ :NaYF4, MoS2 –Ta2 O5 and β-Tm 3+, Yb 3+ :NaYF4 /MoS2 –Ta2 O5 are all characterized by XRD, SEM, EDX, and FT-IR techniques. The photocatalytic activity of β-Tm 3+, Yb 3+ :NaYF4 /MoS2 –Ta2 O5 is examined through the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from an aqueous methanol solution under near-infrared light irradiation. In addition, the influence of factors such as the mass ratio of β-Tm 3+, Yb 3+ :NaYF4 and MoS2 –Ta2 O5, the heat-treatment temperature, and the initial pH value of the solution on the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity of β-Tm 3+, Yb 3+ :NaYF4 /MoS2 –Ta2 O5 is also studied. The results show that the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity of Ta2 O5 can be greatly enhanced by adding the up-conversion luminescence agent (β-Tm 3+, Yb 3+ :NaYF4 ) and co-catalyst (MoS2 ). Furthermore, the β-Tm 3+, Yb 3+ :NaYF4 /MoS2 –Ta2 O5 catalyst with a 40 : 100 mass ratio which was heat-treated at 450 °C for 60 min in an aqueous methanol solution at initial pH = 6.0 displays the highest photocatalytic activity under near-infrared light irradiation.