Facile fabrication of sponge-like hierarchically porous Ni,La–SrTiO3 templated by in situ generated carbon deposits and the enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity

Abstract

“Hierarchically porous Ni,La–SrTiO₃” (Hp-NLSTO) photocatalysts were synthesized using carbon deposits, which were in situ generated via the pyrolysis of an organic compound (OC) during the crystallization process at high temperatures in N₂ atmosphere, as the hard template. The obtained samples were characterized using XRD, SEM, TEM, FT-IR, TG, N₂ adsorption–desorption and UV-vis diffusive reflectance. The results indicate that hierarchical pores, including super-macropores (>400 nm), macropores, mesopores and micropores, were successfully fabricated in the synthesized samples. The surface area of Hp-NLSTOs is higher than 110 m² g⁻¹, while the pore volume is larger than 0.2 cm³ g⁻¹. The Hp-NLSTOs present superior visible-light performance in the photo-degradation of malachite green (MG) compared to that of commercial SrTiO₃ and nonporous Ni,La–SrTiO₃.