Efficient visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen evolution over platinum supported titanium dioxide nanocomposites coating up-conversion luminescence agent (Er3+:Y3Al5O12/Pt-TiO2)

Er3+:Y3Al5O12/Pt-TiO2 nanocomposite particles were successfully prepared by sol-gel and calcination methods. For confirmation, Er3+:Y3Al5O12, Pt-TiO2 and Er3+:Y3Al5O12/Pt-TiO2 were all characterized by XRD, SEM, EDX and TEM. The visible-light photocatalytic activity was examined through photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from methanol splitting under visible light irradiation. The influence of mole ratio, heat-treated temperature and heat-treated time on the visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity of Er3+:Y3Al5O12/Pt-TiO2 nanocomposite particles were studied. Er3+:Y3Al5O12/Pt-TiO2 nanocomposite particles with 1.5:1.0 M ratio heat-treated at 500 °C for 60 min showed the highest photocatalytic activity in hydrogen evolution from methanol splitting.