Rose-red color oxynitride Nb2Zr6O17-xNxNb2Zr6O17-xNx: A visible light photocatalyst to hydrogen production

Rose-red color Nb2Zr6O17-xNxNb2Zr6O17-xNx oxynitride photocatalyst was synthesized by thermal ammonolysis of Nb2Zr6O17Nb2Zr6O17 at 1073 K. TEM image of Nb2Zr6O17-xNxNb2Zr6O17-xNx sample showed prismatic pseudo orthorhombic shaped particles with clear edges and an average particle size in the range of 80–90 nm. The photocatalytic activities of the oxynitride samples were studied for hydrogen production by H2SH2S splitting under visible light irradiation. The oxynitride Nb2Zr6O17-xNxNb2Zr6O17-xNx gave the quantum yield of 13.5% in the production of hydrogen from decomposition of hydrogen sulfide under visible light irradiation.