An efficient visible-light active photocatalyst CuAlGaO4 for solar hydrogen production

Herein, for the first time, CuAlGaO 4 is demonstrated as an efficient visible-light-active (band-gap of 1.87 eV, λ ≥ 420 nm) photocatalyst for solar H 2 production. The CuAlGaO 4 prepared by solid-state method is capable of producing 3214 μmol of H 2 per hour from H 2 S photodecomposition under visible-light irradiation with quantum yield of 10.8% at 550 nm. Loading with 1 wt.% NiO enhances the rate of H 2 generation of the photocatalyst to 3616 μmolh −1 with quantum yield of 12.7% at 550 nm. The CuAlGaO 4 exhibits a spinel structure with particle size varying from a few nanometers to a few micrometers. The regenerated catalysts validate the stability and the reusability.