Synthesis and photocatalytic hydrogen production activity of the Ni-CH3CH2NH2/H1.78Sr0.78Bi0.22Nb2O7 hybrid layered perovskite

The nickel-based complex Ni-CH 3 CH 2 NH 2 -intercalated niobate layered perovskite Ni-CH 3 CH 2 NH 2 /H 1.78 Sr 0.78 Bi 0.22 Nb 2 O 7 was synthesized via a facile in situ chemical reaction method. Using ultrathin H 1.78 Sr 0.78 Bi 0.22 Nb 2 O 7 nanosheets and nickel acetate as precursors. The composition, structure, photophysical properties, and photocatalytic activity for H 2 production of Ni-CH 3 CH 2 NH 2 /H 1.78 Sr 0.78 Bi 0.22 Nb 2 O 7 were studied systematically. The photocatalyst loaded with 0.5 wt% Ni exhibited the highest H 2 evolution rate of 372.67 μmo/h. This was 0.54 times higher than the activity of the H 1.78 Sr 0.78 Bi 0.22 Nb 2 O 7 nanosheets. The activity of the optimized Ni-CH 3 CH 2 NH 2 /H 1.78 Sr 0.78 Bi 0.22 Nb 2 O 7 was comparable to that of the Pt-loaded sample under the same reaction conditions. The photocatalytic activity of the Ni-CH 3 CH 2 NH 2 /H 1.78 Sr 0.78 Bi 0.22 Nb 2 O 7 was mainly attributed to the excellent separation of photogenerated carriers, after formation of the intercalated complex Ni-CH 3 CH 2 NH 2 . This study provides a facile strategy to synthesize a non-precious metal-loaded photocatalyst for H 2 production.