Phase transformations during HLnTiO{sub 4} (Ln=La, Nd) thermolysis and photocatalytic activity of obtained compounds
Layered HLnTiO{sub 4} (Ln=La, Nd) compounds belonging to Ruddlesden–Popper phases were found to form partially hydrated compounds Ln{sub 2}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}·xH{sub 2}O during thermal dehydration as well as defect oxides Ln{sub 2}□Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7} as final products. Further heating of metastable defect Ln{sub 2}□Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7} substances leads to the formation of pyrochlore-type oxides Ln{sub 2}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7} {sub (p)}, with subsequent transformation under higher temperatures to stable layered 110-type perovskites Ln{sub 2}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}. The occurring structure transformations lead to an increase of photocatalytic activity in the order of HLnTiO{sub 4}<Ln{sub 2}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}·yH{sub 2}O<Ln{sub 2}□Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}<Ln{sub 2}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7} {sub (p)}<Ln{sub 2}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7} in the reaction of hydrogen evolution from aqueous isopropanol solution. - Graphical abstract: Layered HLnTiO{sub 4} (Ln=La, Nd) compounds form partially hydrated Ln{sub 2}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}·xH{sub 2}O compounds during thermal dehydration, further heating results to the formation to defect oxides Ln{sub 2}□Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}, pyrochlor-type oxides Ln{sub 2}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7} {sub (p)}, with subsequent transformation to layered 110-type perovskites Ln{sub 2}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}. Structure transformations lead to an increase of photocatalytic activity in the order of HLnTiO{sub 4}<Ln{sub 2}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}·yH{sub 2}O<Ln{sub 2}□Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}<Ln{sub 2}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7} {sub (p)}<Ln{sub 2}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}. - Highlights: • We studied dehydration and further thermolysis of HLnTiO{sub 4} (Ln=La, Nd) compounds. • XRD, STA and solid state IR studies were carried out. • A new series of metastable Ln{sub 2}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}·yH{sub 2}O compounds was obtained. • We examined the photocatalytic activity of all obtained compounds. The hydrogen evolution rate increased in the course of the structure changes during thermolysis.