Pt/Cd2Sb2O6.8 nanoparticles for efficient visible light photocatalysis

Cd2Sb2O6.8 nanoparticles were prepared using a hydrothermal method, and Pt was immobilised onto the surface of Cd2Sb2O6.8 nanoparticles via a photo-assisted deposition (PAD) method. The samples produced were characterised using X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet and visible spectroscopy, photoluminescence emission spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy, and surface area measurements. Furthermore, the catalytic performances of the Cd2Sb2O6.8 and Pt/Cd2Sb2O6.8 samples were examined by the photoreduction of nitrobenzene to aniline under visible light. The extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) results, which showed the presence of peaks assigned to Pt–Pt at approximately 2.50 Å, indicated the formation of nanoscale Pt features. The UV–vis spectral analysis detected a red-shift after loading Pt onto Cd2Sb2O6.8. The maximum degradation efficiency of nitrobenzene that was achieved was 100% after 90 min of reaction time with 0.3 Pt/Cd2Sb2O6.8 as the photocatalyst. The catalyst could be reused without any activity loss for five cycles.