An OCM catalyst composition characterized by general formula A.sub.aLa.sub.bE.sub.cD.sub.dO.sub.x; wherein A is an alkaline earth metal; wherein E is a first rare earth element; wherein D is a redox agent or a second rare earth element; wherein the first rare earth element and second rare earth element are different; wherein a is 1.0; wherein b is 0.01-10.0; wherein c is 0-10.0; wherein d is 0-10.0; and wherein x balances the oxidation states. The alkaline earth metal is selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and combinations thereof. The first rare earth element and the second rare earth element can each independently be selected from the group consisting of Sc, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Y, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, and combinations thereof. The redox agent is selected from the group consisting of Mn, W, Bi, Sb, Sn, Ce, Pr, and combinations thereof.

An OCM catalyst composition characterized by general formula A.sub.aLa.sub.bE.sub.cD.sub.dO.sub.x; wherein A is an alkaline earth metal; wherein E is a first rare earth element; wherein D is a redox agent or a second rare earth element; wherein the first rare earth element and second rare earth element are different; wherein a is 1.0; wherein b is 0.01-10.0; wherein c is 0-10.0; wherein d is 0-10.0; and wherein x balances the oxidation states. The alkaline earth metal is selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and combinations thereof. The first rare earth element and the second rare earth element can each independently be selected from the group consisting of Sc, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Y, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, and combinations thereof. The redox agent is selected from the group consisting of Mn, W, Bi, Sb, Sn, Ce, Pr, and combinations thereof.

A composite photocatalyst is provided. The composite photocatalyst includes a nanomotor and a plurality of cocatalysts, the nanomotor comprises a shell formed by porous material, at least one inner core formed by a photocatalyst, and a cavity between the shell and the at least one inner core, the plurality of cocatalysts are located in the cavity. The plurality of cocatalysts are selected from the group consisting of metal nanoparticles, metal oxide nanoparticles, metal sulfide nanoparticles, phosphate nanoparticles, up-conversion material nanoparticles, and any combination thereof. A method for making the composite photocatalyst and application thereof are further provided. The plurality of cocatalysts and the nanomotor forms a photocatalytic synergistic reaction system, improving photo-catalytic activity of the composite photocatalyst.

A composite photocatalyst is provided. The composite photocatalyst includes a nanomotor and a plurality of cocatalysts, the nanomotor comprises a shell formed by porous material, at least one inner core formed by a photocatalyst, and a cavity between the shell and the at least one inner core, the plurality of cocatalysts are located in the cavity. The plurality of cocatalysts are selected from the group consisting of metal nanoparticles, metal oxide nanoparticles, metal sulfide nanoparticles, phosphate nanoparticles, up-conversion material nanoparticles, and any combination thereof. A method for making the composite photocatalyst and application thereof are further provided. The plurality of cocatalysts and the nanomotor forms a photocatalytic synergistic reaction system, improving photo-catalytic activity of the composite photocatalyst.

Photoactive catalyst and methods of producing H.sub.2 by photocatalytic water splitting. The photoactive catalyst includes an upconverting material, a photocatalyst material, and plasmonic metal nanostructures deposited on the surface of the photocatalyst material. The upconverting material is not embedded in or coated by the photocatalyst material. The upconverting material is capable of emitting light at a first wavelength that has an energy equal to or higher than the band gap of the photocatalyst material and at a second wavelength that can be absorbed by the plasmonic metal nanostructures.

Photoactive catalyst and methods of producing H.sub.2 by photocatalytic water splitting. The photoactive catalyst includes an upconverting material, a photocatalyst material, and plasmonic metal nanostructures deposited on the surface of the photocatalyst material. The upconverting material is not embedded in or coated by the photocatalyst material. The upconverting material is capable of emitting light at a first wavelength that has an energy equal to or higher than the band gap of the photocatalyst material and at a second wavelength that can be absorbed by the plasmonic metal nanostructures.

An OCM catalyst composition characterized by general formula A.sub.aLa.sub.bE.sub.cD.sub.dO.sub.x; wherein A is an alkaline earth metal; wherein E is a first rare earth element; wherein D is a redox agent or a second rare earth element; wherein the first rare earth element and second rare earth element are different; wherein a is 1.0; wherein b is 0.01-10.0; wherein c is 0-10.0; wherein d is 0-10.0; and wherein x balances the oxidation states. The alkaline earth metal is selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and combinations thereof. The first rare earth element and the second rare earth element can each independently be selected from the group consisting of Sc, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Y, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, and combinations thereof. The redox agent is selected from the group consisting of Mn, W, Bi, Sb, Sn, Ce, Pr, and combinations thereof.

An OCM catalyst composition characterized by general formula A.sub.aLa.sub.bE.sub.cD.sub.dO.sub.x; wherein A is an alkaline earth metal; wherein E is a first rare earth element; wherein D is a redox agent or a second rare earth element; wherein the first rare earth element and second rare earth element are different; wherein a is 1.0; wherein b is 0.01-10.0; wherein c is 0-10.0; wherein d is 0-10.0; and wherein x balances the oxidation states. The alkaline earth metal is selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and combinations thereof. The first rare earth element and the second rare earth element can each independently be selected from the group consisting of Sc, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Y, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, and combinations thereof. The redox agent is selected from the group consisting of Mn, W, Bi, Sb, Sn, Ce, Pr, and combinations thereof.

A composite photocatalyst is provided. The composite photocatalyst includes a nanomotor and a plurality of cocatalysts, the nanomotor comprises a shell formed by porous material, at least one inner core formed by a photocatalyst, and a cavity between the shell and the at least one inner core, the plurality of cocatalysts are located in the cavity. The plurality of cocatalysts are selected from the group consisting of metal nanoparticles, metal oxide nanoparticles, metal sulfide nanoparticles, phosphate nanoparticles, up-conversion material nanoparticles, and any combination thereof. A method for making the composite photocatalyst and application thereof are further provided. The plurality of cocatalysts and the nanomotor forms a photocatalytic synergistic reaction system, improving photo-catalytic activity of the composite photocatalyst.

A composite photocatalyst is provided. The composite photocatalyst includes a nanomotor and a plurality of cocatalysts, the nanomotor comprises a shell formed by porous material, at least one inner core formed by a photocatalyst, and a cavity between the shell and the at least one inner core, the plurality of cocatalysts are located in the cavity. The plurality of cocatalysts are selected from the group consisting of metal nanoparticles, metal oxide nanoparticles, metal sulfide nanoparticles, phosphate nanoparticles, up-conversion material nanoparticles, and any combination thereof. A method for making the composite photocatalyst and application thereof are further provided. The plurality of cocatalysts and the nanomotor forms a photocatalytic synergistic reaction system, improving photo-catalytic activity of the composite photocatalyst.