A highly active photocatalyst for overall water splitting with a hydrated layered perovskite structure

Photocatalytic decomposition of H2O into H2 and O2 over a novel photocatalyst, K2La2Ti3O10, was accomplished. K2La2Ti3O10, a layered perovskite-type compound with a hydrated interlayer space, exhibited a high activity for overall water splitting with Ni-loading. The highest activity was obtained over Ni(3.0 wt%)–K2La2Ti3O10 when the reaction was carried out in aqueous KOH solution (0.1 M, pH=12.8). By comparison with other Ni-loaded photocatalysts reported previously, the reaction mechanism of Ni–K2La2Ti3O10 was discussed. © 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.