A novel route to Pt–Bi2O3 composite thin films and their application in photo-reduction of water

Abstract

A novel homoleptic bismuth(III) β-diketonate (dibenzoylmethane-dbm) complex [Bi(dbm) 3] 2 has been used as a precursor to thin films of crystalline β-Bi 2O 3, and hexachloroplatinic acid (H 2PtCl 6·6H 2O) has been demonstrated as a suitable precursor for deposition of platinum nanoparticles, both deposited via aerosol-assisted chemical vapour deposition (AACVD). Thin films of Pt-Bi 2O 3 were co-deposited from a mixture of [Bi(dbm) 3] 2 and H 2PtCl 6· 6H 2O; the introduction of Pt particles into β-Bi 2O 3 causes hydrogen to be evolved during photolysis of water over the composite material, a property not found for Pt particles or β-Bi 2O 3 alone.