A Novel Sn₂Sb₂O₇ Nanophotocatalyst for Visible-Light-Driven H₂ Evolution

A novel pure cubic-phase pyrochlore structure tin(Ⅱ) antimonate nanophotocatalyst, stoichiometric Sn₂Sb₂O₇, has been prepared by a modified ion-exchange process using an antimonic acid precursor, and employed in visible-light-driven photocatalytic H₂ evolution for the first time. The physicochemical properties (crystal phase, chemical composition and state, textural properties, and optical properties) of the material were investigated by different instrumental techniques. Compared with the antimonic acid precursor, the as-prepared Sn₂Sb₂O₇ had a narrower bandgap, smaller crystal size, and larger BET surface area. The as-prepared Sn₂Sb₂O₇ was validated as a promising candidate for visible-light-driven photocatalytic H₂ evolution with a constant rate of 40.10 μmol·h⁻¹·g_cat⁻¹.