Novel Photocatalyst ZrW2O7(OH)2(H2O)2 for Photocatalytic H2 and O2 Evolution from Water Splitting

ZrW2O7(OH)2(H2O)2 powder was prepared by a hydrothermal reaction method and its thermal decomposition property, crystal structure, photon absorption property and specific surface area were characterized by TG-DTA, XRD, DRS and BET, respectively. Its photocatalytic activity for H2 and O2 evolution from water splitting under UV light irradiation was examined in the presence of CH3OH as electron donor and AgNO3 as electron scavenger. The results show that ZrW2O7(OH)2(H2O)2 is crystallized well in tetragonal phase, with absorption edge of 310nm, band gap energy of 3.9eV, and specific surface area of 5.9m2/g. The average rate of H2 evolution over 0.3wt% Pt/ZrW2O7(OH)2(H2O)2 is 3.7μmol/h and the average rate of O2 evolution over ZrW2O7(OH)2(H2O)2 is 27.8μmol/h, respectively. It is concluded that the hydroxy group containing ZrW2O7(OH)2(H2O)2 has suitable band structure and possesses the photocatalytic ability to split water.