Al/Nb Co-Doped La2Ti2O7 As an Efficient Photocatalyst for H2 Production from Water

Al/Nb co-doped La2Ti2O7 has been prepared by a facile sol-gel method and investigated as the photocatalyst for H2 evolution. Optimal photocatalytic H2 production is achieved at the sample of La2Ti1.6Al0.2Nb0.2O7 with a production rate of ~37 µmolg-1h-1, which is ~ 2.5 fold higher than that of pristine sample. Further analysis the substitution of Al and Nb in B-site inhibits the growth of grain size, which helps increase the number of active sites. In addition, the introduction of Al and Nb decrease the Ti3+ species, which plays a negative role in photocatalysis as they could provide recombination spot for the photogenerated charges and thus shorten the electron lifetime.