Structural Evolution of Ni-Based Co-Catalysts on [Ca2Nb3O10]− Nanosheets during Heating and Their Photocatalytic Properties

Zhang, Siyuan; Diehl, Leo; Wrede, Sina; Lotsch, Bettina V.; Scheu, Christina

doi:10.3390/catal10010013

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Structural Evolution of Ni-Based Co-Catalysts on [Ca₂Nb₃O₁₀]⁻ Nanosheets during Heating and Their Photocatalytic Properties

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Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH, Max-Planck-Straße 1, 40239 Düsseldorf, Germany

Max-Planck-Institut für Festkörperforschung, Heisenbergstraße 1, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstraße 5–13, 81377 München, Germany

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Uppsala University, Lägerhyddsvägen 1, 75120 Uppsala, Sweden

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Catalysts 2020, 10(1), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal10010013

Received: 29 November 2019 / Revised: 16 December 2019 / Accepted: 18 December 2019 / Published: 20 December 2019

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photocatalytic Nanocomposite Materials)

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Abstract

Nickel compounds are among the most frequently used co-catalysts for photocatalytic water splitting. By loading Ni(II) precursors, submonolayer Ni(OH)₂ was uniformly distributed onto photocatalytic [Ca₂Nb₃O₁₀]⁻ nanosheets. Further heating of the nanocomposite was studied both ex situ in various gas environments and in situ under vacuum in the scanning transmission electron microscope. During heating in non-oxidative environments including H₂, argon and vacuum, Ni nanoparticles form at ≥200 °C, and they undergo Ostwald ripening at ≥500 °C. High resolution imaging and electron energy loss spectroscopy revealed a NiO shell around the Ni core. Ni loading of up to 3 wt% was demonstrated to enhance the rates of photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. After heat treatment, a further increase in the reaction rate can be achieved thanks to the Ni core/NiO shell nanoparticles and their large separation. View Full-Text

Keywords: water splitting photocatalyst; niobate nanosheet; nanoparticle co-catalyst; in situ heating

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Zhang, S.; Diehl, L.; Wrede, S.; Lotsch, B.V.; Scheu, C. Structural Evolution of Ni-Based Co-Catalysts on [Ca₂Nb₃O₁₀]⁻ Nanosheets during Heating and Their Photocatalytic Properties. Catalysts 2020, 10, 13. https://doi.org/10.3390/catal10010013

AMA Style

Zhang S, Diehl L, Wrede S, Lotsch BV, Scheu C. Structural Evolution of Ni-Based Co-Catalysts on [Ca₂Nb₃O₁₀]⁻ Nanosheets during Heating and Their Photocatalytic Properties. Catalysts. 2020; 10(1):13. https://doi.org/10.3390/catal10010013

Chicago/Turabian Style

Zhang, Siyuan, Leo Diehl, Sina Wrede, Bettina V. Lotsch, and Christina Scheu. 2020. "Structural Evolution of Ni-Based Co-Catalysts on [Ca₂Nb₃O₁₀]⁻ Nanosheets during Heating and Their Photocatalytic Properties" Catalysts 10, no. 1: 13. https://doi.org/10.3390/catal10010013

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Structural Evolution of Ni-Based Co-Catalysts on [Ca₂Nb₃O₁₀]⁻ Nanosheets during Heating and Their Photocatalytic Properties

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