Energy transfer from Er to Nd ions by the thermal effect and promotion of the photocatalysis of the NaYF4:Yb,Er,Nd/W18O49 heterostructure

Abstract

The NaYF₄:Yb,Er/W₁₈O₄₉ heterostructure is an excellent photocatalyst that can promote H₂ evolution by hydrolyzing BH₃NH₃ under near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation. At the same time, the photothermal effect can be produced in photocatalytic reactions, which will cause the luminescence efficiency and photocatalytic activity to decrease. Determining how to take advantage of that photothermal effect becomes a major problem. Moreover, the energy transfer (ET) process from Er ions to Nd ions in NaYF₄ co-doped with Yb/Er/Nd ions (NaYF₄:Yb,Er,Nd) occurred at high temperature. Herein, the NaYF₄:Yb,Er,Nd/W₁₈O₄₉ quasi-core–shell heterostructure was designed to achieve better H₂ production capacity; this heterostructure exhibits a 1.5-fold enhancement of photocatalytic activity for H₂ evolution as compared with the NaYF₄:Yb,Er/W₁₈O₄₉ heterostructure. This study provides a new way to explore the catalytic activities in the NIR field for application in the development of a sustainable energy source.