Preparation and modification of Y2Cu2O 5/Y2O3 photocatalysts for H2 evolution under simulated sunlight Irradiation

Y2Cu2O5/Y2O3 (YCO) photocatalysts were prepared using sol-gel method. The photocatalysts were modified by Pt particles to prepare Pt-loaded composite (Pt-YCO) using hydrogen reduction method, and NiO/YCO were synthesized by impregnation method. These obtained samples were characterized by thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and ultraviolet visible diffuse reflectance absorption spectra (UV-Vis DRS) techniques. Photocatalytic H-2 evolution activity of the modified photocatalysts has been evaluated from aqueous oxalic acid solution used as sacrificial reagent under simulated sunlight irradiation. The result showed that when the concentration of the photocatalysts is 0.8 g.L-1, Pt-YCO photocatalyst exhibits higher photocatalytic activity compared with unloaded YCO. The hydrogen production rate is 4.12 mmol.h(-1).g(-1) with lwt% loading amount of Pt, while the loading content is up to 2.5wt%, the hydrogen production rate of Pt-YCO photocatalyst deecreased instead. Whereas NiO/YCO composite exhibits less photocatalytic activity than that of pure YCO under the same conditions.