LAUSR

Abstract An effective cocatalyst is crucial for the high efficient visible photocatalytic hydrogen generation from formaldehyde. In this study, we develop a novel active Ag 1 Pd 1 alloy cocatalyst with selective exposed (1 1 1) facet for the conversion toxic formaldehyde into hydrogen driven by visible light via modulation of the adsorption of HCHO, H 2 O molecules and H atom on optimized crystal facet of alloy cocatalyst. The Ag 1 Pd 1 (1 1 1)/RGO catalyst shows more than two times higher catalytic activity than Ag 1 Pd 1 (1 0 0)/RGO catalyst under same condition. By taking advantage of the more efficient charge transfer and separation, the prolonged the lifetime of photogenerated electrons has been achieved over (1 1 1) facet AgPd alloy. Our result provides a new insight to develop the active cocatalyst by modulating crystal facet of alloy cocatalyst for hydrogen generation from formaldehyde under visible light irradiation.