Abstract
Photocatalytic hydrogen production over ceramic oxide photocatalysts is a promising technique for green energy production. However, most ceramics with large bandgap energies (Eg) do not operate in visible light. In this study, we present a sol-gel-based process for the preparation of SrAl2O4 nanoparticles coupled with precise amounts of Ag2O and supported with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to form Ag2O/SrAl2O4/CNT ternary nanocomposites. The characterization of the prepared photocatalysts using various methods revealed a visible-light response in the presence of 0.5–4.0 wt% Ag2O and 4.0% CNTs. The 3.0 wt% Ag2O/SrAl2O4/4.0% CNT photocatapyst exhibited visible-light absorbance edge at 481 nm and Eg of 2.49 eV compared to 4.64 eV for SrAl2O4/4.0% CNT. Hydrogen evolution rate in the 10% glycerol/water system and Pt cocatalyst utilizing 3.0 wt% Ag2O/SrAl2O4/4.0% CNT was 455.5 μmol g−1h−1 at an optimized dosage of 1.6 gL−1 with commendable recyclability. The improved performance is attributed to the effective visible-light response and enhanced photocharge mobility because of the addition of a precise amount of Ag2O and CNTs.
•Sol-gel synthesis of SrAl2O4 nanoparticles decorated with Ag2O and loaded on CNTs.•Ag2O improved visible light absorption and reduced bandgap of SrAl2O4.•H2 evolution over 3.0% Ag2O/SrAl2O4/4.0% CNT is > 111 times to pure SrAl2O4.•H2 production on 1.6 gL-1 dose is 455.55 μmolg−1h−1 by with 98.8% of reusability.