Eu³⁺:Y₂Ti₂O₇ nanomaterials as efficient photocatalysts used for hydrogen and biogas production toward a sustainable environment

Abstract

The main focus of this research is on energy production by clean photocatalytic technology. By using the sol–gel process, yttrium titanate nano‐photocatalysts modified with europium ( x mol. Eu 3+ :Y 2 Ti 2 O 7 ) have been created and used to produce photocatalytic biogas and hydrogen using acetic acid. X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD) confirms the formation of cubic Y 2 Ti 2 O 7 phase. Microscopic study has indicated that Eu doping improved the shape, size, and dispersity of Y 2 Ti 2 O 7 photocatalyst. Different crystal defects, including oxygen vacancies (OVs) and Ti 3+ species, are demonstrated by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies. Compared with pure Y 2 Ti 2 O 7 , 0.03 mol. Eu 3+ :Y 2 Ti 2 O 7 has the highest proportion of lattice defects. The band gap energies have increased as a result of doping on Y 2 Ti 2 O 7 size. Urbach energy calculations confirm that Eu 3+ :Y 2 Ti 2 O 7 nano‐photocatalyst has the highest degree of distortion. The photoluminescence (PL) measurements have shown that 0.03 mol. Eu 3+ dopant can effectively separate the active charge carriers. Electron spin resonance proved the progressive increase of defect states (OV and Ti 3+ ) by doping, which promoted the photocatalytic activity of the nano‐photocatalyst. These photocatalysts have generated biogas and hydrogen gas via photocatalytic oxidation of acetic acid under inert conditions. The maximum photocatalytic activity for the generation of biogas and hydrogen is found in 0.03 mol. Eu 3+ :Y 2 Ti 2 O 7 . The maximum photocatalytic activity of 0.03 mol. Eu 3+ :Y 2 Ti 2 O 7 is correlated with higher lattice defects (OV, Ti 3+ ) and reduced charge carrier recombination. The proposed photocatalytic mechanism has been discussed. According to the findings, Eu 3+ :Y 2 Ti 2 O 7 nano‐photocatalyst is a promising nanomaterial for the generation of energy.