Pd 3 Bi intermetallic particles prepared by the photodeposition method for photocatalytic ethane production from methane.

A Pd 3 Bi intermetallic compound (IMC) was photocatalytically deposited onto the gallium oxide (Ga 2 O 3 ) surface at room temperature. Conventional impregnation and reduction methods were difficult for the formation of the Pd 3 Bi IMC on Ga 2 O 3 , highlighting the importance of the photodeposition approach. The Pd 3 Bi-loaded Ga 2 O 3 photocatalyst exhibited 84% selectivity in methane-to-ethane conversion with hydrogen production in the presence of water vapour.