Water splitting activity of layered oxides

A photocatalytic water splitting process for H2 generation, the process comprising:

• a) dispersing a catalyst powder having the formula InA(ZnO)m in a reactant solution to provide a reactant mixture in a gas closed irradiation system, wherein A is FeO3 or GaO3 and m=1-5, and wherein the reactant solution comprises water and methanol in ratio of 4:1;
• and
• b) irradiating the reactant mixture as obtained in step (a) in the visible light range, in the UV light range, or both the visible and UV light range, to obtain hydrogen;
• wherein the catalyst powder of the reactant mixture irradiated in the visible light range is selected from the group consisting of InFeO3(ZnO)m, InFeO3(ZnO)m co-catalyzed with Pt, and InGaO3(ZnO)m co-catalyzed with CuO;
• and
• wherein the catalyst powder of the reactant mixture irradiated in the UV light range or both the visible light range and the UV light range is selected from the group consisting of InFeO3(ZnO)m, InFeO3(ZnO)m co-catalyzed with Pt, InGaO3(ZnO)m, InGaO3(ZnO)m co-catalyzed with NiO, and InGaO3(ZnO)m co-catalyzed with CuO.