In this work, the preparation of a novel Z-scheme photocatalyst, Er³⁺:YAlO₃/Ta₂O₅-V⁵⁺||Fe³⁺-TiO₂/Au coated composite, for visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen production is reported for the first time. In this photocatalyst, Au nanoparticles as conduction band co-catalyst provide more active sites to enrich electrons. Ta₂O₅-V⁵⁺||Fe³⁺-TiO₂ as composite redox cycle system thoroughly separates the photo-generated electrons and holes. In addition, Er³⁺:YAlO₃ as up-conversion luminescence agent (from visible-light to ultraviolet-light) provides enough ultraviolet-light for satisfying the energy demand of wide band-gap semiconductors (TiO₂ and Ta₂O₅). The photocatalytic hydrogen production can be achieved from methanol as sacrificial agent (electron donor) under visible-light irradiation. The main influence factors such as initial solution pH and molar ratio of TiO₂ and Ta₂O₅ on visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen production activity of Er³⁺:YAlO₃/Ta₂O₅-V⁵⁺||Fe³⁺-TiO₂/Au coated composite are discussed in detail. The results show that the Er³⁺:YAlO₃/Ta₂O₅-V⁵⁺||Fe³⁺-TiO₂/Au coated composite with 1.0:0.5 M ratio of TiO₂ and Ta₂O₅ in methanol aqueous solution at pH = 6.50 displays the highest photocatalytic hydrogen production activity. Furthermore, a high level of photocatalytic activity can be still maintained within three cycles under the same conditions. It implies that the prepared Z-scheme Er³⁺:YAlO₃/Ta₂O₅-V⁵⁺||Fe³⁺-TiO₂/Au coated composite may be a promising photocatalyst utilizing solar energy for hydrogen production.

在这项工作中，一种新型的Z型光催化剂Er ³⁺：YAlO ₃ / Ta ₂ O ₅ -V ⁵⁺ || Fe ³⁺ -TiO ₂ / Au涂覆的复合材料的制备是用于可见光光催化制氢的。第一次报告。在这种光催化剂中，作为导带助催化剂的金纳米粒子提供了更多的活性位点来富集电子。作为复合氧化还原循环系统的Ta ₂ O ₅ -V ⁵⁺ || Fe ³⁺ -TiO ₂可以彻底分离光生电子和空穴。另外，Er ³⁺：YAlO ₃作为上转换发光剂（从可见光到紫外光），它提供了足够的紫外光以满足宽带隙半导体（TiO ₂和Ta ₂ O ₅）的能量需求。在可见光照射下，可以由甲醇作为牺牲剂（电子供体）实现光催化制氢。初始溶液的pH值，TiO ₂和Ta ₂ O _5的摩尔比等主要因素对Er ³⁺：YAlO ₃ / Ta ₂ O ₅ -V ⁵⁺ || Fe ³⁺ -的可见光催化产氢活性的影响二氧化钛₂详细讨论了/ Au涂层复合材料。结果表明，在甲醇水溶液中TiO ₂和Ta ₂ O _5的比为1.0：0.5 M的Er ³⁺：YAlO ₃ / Ta ₂ O ₅ -V ⁵⁺ || Fe ³⁺ -TiO ₂ / Au复合涂层在pH = 6.50时显示出最高的光催化制氢活性。此外，在相同条件下的三个循环内仍可以保持高水平的光催化活性。这意味着制备的Z方案Er ³⁺：YAlO ₃ / Ta ₂ O ₅ -V ⁵⁺ || Fe³⁺ -TiO ₂ / Au涂层复合材料可能是一种有前途的利用太阳能生产氢的光催化剂。