Structural and photophysical characterization of some La2xGa2yIn2zO3 solid solutions, to be used as photocatalysts for H2 production from water/ethanol solutions

In this work, the structural and photophysical characterization of newly synthesized La2xGa2yIn2zO3 solid solutions is presented. By changing the relative amounts of La, Ga and In in La2xGa2yIn2zO3, it has been possible to prepare polyphasic samples whose compositions have been determined by means of the X-ray powder diffraction and micro-Raman techniques. Moreover, it is demonstrated how the composition and structure of prepared ternary oxides rule their UV–vis absorption spectrum. 2yIn2zO3 solid solutions have been synthesized to obtain suitable photocatalysts for hydrogen production from water–bioethanol solutions. Preliminary photocatalytic experiments carried out using some of the prepared compounds in different conditions are presented in this paper.