Pt/Cd2Sb2O6.8 nanoparticles for efficient visible light photocatalysis

Cd2Sb2O6.8 nanoparticles were prepared using a hydrothermal method, and Pt was immobilised onto the surface of Cd2Sb2O6.8 nanoparticles via a photo-assisted deposition (PAD) method. The samples produced were characterised using X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet and visible spectroscopy, photoluminescence emission spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy, and surface area measurements. Furthermore, the catalytic performances of the Cd2Sb2O6.8 and Pt/Cd2Sb2O6.8 samples were examined by the photoreduction of nitrobenzene to aniline under visible light. The extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) results, which showed the presence of peaks assigned to Pt-Pt at approximately 2.50 angstrom, indicated the formation of nanoscale Pt features. The UV-vis spectral analysis detected a red-shift after loading Pt onto Cd2Sb2O6.8. The maximum degradation efficiency of nitrobenzene that was achieved was 100% after 90 min of reaction time with 0.3 Pt/Cd2Sb2O6.8 as the photocatalyst. The catalyst could be reused without any activity loss for five cycles. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.