Ni(OH)2-modified SrTiO3 for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reactions†
Abstract
Strontium titanate (SrTiO3) is a promising photocatalyst because of its high chemical stability and excellent photocatalytic activity. However, the requirement of near-ultraviolet (UV) irradiation for effective photocatalysis limits its practical application. In this work, we prepared a novel Ni(OH)2-modified SrTiO3 composite using a simple precipitation method and confirmed that the Ni(OH)2 nanoparticles were successfully deposited on the SrTiO3 surface rather than incorporated into the lattice. The optimal Ni(OH)2 loading amount for high H2 evolution was found to be 20%, giving an activation rate of up to 1.46 mmol h−1 g−1, which is ca. 15 times higher than that of the pure SrTiO3. This significant enhancement of activity could be ascribed to the lower recombination of electrons and holes in the presence of Ni(OH)2, which was confirmed by photo-luminescence spectroscopy (PL) and photo-current response property. The present finding could shed light on the design of efficient perovskite-type oxide based photocatalysts.