Function-reversible facets enabling SrTiO₃ nanocrystals for improved photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Abstract

It has been widely reported that, for faceted nanocrystals, the two adjacent facets with different band levels contribute to promoted charge separation, and provide active sites for photocatalytic reduction and oxidation reaction, respectively. In such cases, only one family of facets can be used for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Herein, by using SrTiO₃ nanocrystals enclosed by {023} and {001} facets as a model photocatalyst, this paper proposed a strategy to achieve the full-facets-utilization of the nanocrystals for photocatalytic hydrogen via chemically depositing Pt nanoparticles on all facets. The photo-deposition experiment of CdS provided direct evidence to demonstrate that the {023} facets which were responsible for photooxidation reaction can be function-reversed for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution after depositing Pt nanoparticles, together with the {001} facets. Thus, the full-facets-utilization led to a much-improved activity for photocatalytic hydrogen, in contrast to those SrTiO₃ nanocrystals with only {001} facets deposited by Pt nanoparticles via a photo-deposition method.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

SrTiO₃ nanocrystals / crystal facets / photocatalysis / hydrogen evolution

References

[1] Samanta B, Morales-GarcíaÁ, Illas F. . Challenges of modeling nanostructured materials for photocatalytic water splitting. Chemical Society Reviews, 2022, 51(9): 3794–3818

[2] Zhu Q, Xu Q, Du M. . Recent progress of metal sulfide photocatalysts for solar energy conversion. Advanced Materials, 2022, 34(45): 2202929

[3] Feng C, Wu Z P, Huang K W. . Surface modification of 2D photocatalysts for solar energy conversion. Advanced Materials, 2022, 34(23): 2200180

[4] Tao X, Zhao Y, Wang S. . Recent advances and perspectives for solar-driven water splitting using particulate photocatalysts. Chemical Society Reviews, 2022, 51(9): 3561–3608

[5] Xue Z H, Luan D, Zhang H. . Single-atom catalysts for photocatalytic energy conversion. Joule, 2022, 6(1): 92–133

[6] Hisatomi T, Domen K. Reaction systems for solar hydrogen production via water splitting with particulate semiconductor photocatalysts. Nature Catalysis, 2019, 2(5): 387–399

[7] Wang Z, Hisatomi T, Li R. . Efficiency accreditation and testing protocols for particulate photocatalysts toward solar fuel production. Joule, 2021, 5(2): 344–359

[8] Ismael M. Environmental remediation and sustainable energy generation via photocatalytic technology using rare earth metals modified g-C₃N₄: A review. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2023, 931: 167469

[9] Zhang Y, Xu J, Zhou J. . Metal-organic framework-derived multifunctional photocatalysts. Chinese Journal of Catalysis, 2022, 43(4): 971–1000

[10] Zhou C, Wang T, Li D. . Flux-assisted low temperature synthesis of SnNb₂O₆ nanoplates with enhanced visible light driven photocatalytic H₂-production. Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2021, 125(42): 23219–23225

[11] Wang J, Wang J, Shi R. . Facile fabrication of N-doped K₂Nb₂O₆ nanocrystals with defective pyrochlore structure for improved visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen production. Small Structures, 2023, 4(1): 2200105

[12] Guo L, Chen Y, Su J. . Obstacles of solar-powered photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production: A perspective from energy flow and mass flow. Energy, 2019, 172: 1079–1086

[13] Tang C, Cheng M, Lai C. . Recent progress in the applications of non-metal modified graphitic carbon nitride in photocatalysis. Coordination Chemistry Reviews, 2023, 474: 214846

[14] Wang N, Cheng L, Liao Y. . Effect of functional group modifications on the photocatalytic performance of g-C₃N₄. Small, 2023, 19(27): 2300109

[15] Tang Z R, Han B, Han C. . One dimensional CdS based materials for artificial photoredox reactions. Journal of Materials Chemistry. A, Materials for Energy and Sustainability, 2017, 5(6): 2387–2410

[16] Chen R, Chen J, Che H. . Atomically dispersed main group magnesium on cadmium sulfide as the active site for promoting photocatalytic hydrogen evolution catalysis. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2022, 41: 2201014–2201018

[17] Yuan L, Han C, Yang M Q. . Photocatalytic water splitting for solar hydrogen generation: Fundamentals and recent advancements. International Reviews in Physical Chemistry, 2016, 35(1): 1–36

[18] Li S H, Zhang N, Xie X. . Stress-transfer-induced in situ formation of ultrathin nickel phosphide nanosheets for efficient hydrogen evolution. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2018, 57(40): 13082–13085

[19] Moon H S, Hsiao K C, Wu M C. . Spatial separation of cocatalysts on Z-scheme organic/inorganic heterostructure hollow spheres for enhanced photocatalytic H₂ evolution and in-depth analysis of the charge-transfer mechanism. Advanced Materials, 2023, 35(4): 2200172

[20] Zhang L, Zhang J, Yu H. . Emerging S-scheme photocatalyst. Advanced Materials, 2022, 34(11): 2107668

[21] Kosco J, Gonzalez-Carrero S, Howells C T. . Generation of long-lived charges in organic semiconductor heterojunction nanoparticles for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Nature Energy, 2022, 7(4): 340–351

[22] Shen R, Zhang L, Li N. . W–N bonds precisely boost Z-scheme interfacial charge transfer in g-C₃N₄/WO₃ heterojunctions for enhanced photocatalytic H₂ evolution. ACS Catalysis, 2022, 12(16): 9994–10003

[23] Sun S, Gao R, Liu X. . Engineering interfacial band bending over bismuth vanadate/carbon nitride by work function regulation for efficient solar-driven water splitting. Science Bulletin, 2022, 67(4): 389–397

[24] Cai H, Wang B, Xiong L. . Orienting the charge transfer path of type-II heterojunction for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 2019, 256: 117853

[25] Zhang T, Meng F, Cheng Y. . Z-scheme transition metal bridge of Co₉S₈/Cd/CdS tubular heterostructure for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 2021, 286: 119853

[26] Liu D, Zhang J, Li C. . In-situ fabrication of atomic charge transferring path for constructing heterojunction photocatalysts with hierarchical structure. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 2019, 248: 459–465

[27] Wei D, Tan Y, Wang Y. . Function-switchable metal/semiconductor junction enables efficient photocatalytic overall water splitting with selective water oxidation products. Science Bulletin, 2020, 65(16): 1389–1395

[28] Hu J, Chen D, Mo Z. . Z-scheme 2D/2D heterojunction of black phosphorus/monolayer Bi₂WO₆ nanosheets with enhanced photocatalytic activities. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2019, 58(7): 2073–2077

[29] Faraji M, Yousefi M, Yousefzadeh S. . Two-dimensional materials in semiconductor photoelectrocatalytic systems for water splitting. Energy & Environmental Science, 2019, 12(1): 59–95

[30] Li J, Wu C, Li J. . 1D/2D TiO₂/ZnIn₂S₄ S-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst for efficient hydrogen evolution. Chinese Journal of Catalysis, 2022, 43(2): 339–349

[31] Li H, Sun B, Gao T. . Ti₃C₂ MXene co-catalyst assembled with mesoporous TiO₂ for boosting photocatalytic activity of methyl orange degradation and hydrogen production. Chinese Journal of Catalysis, 2022, 43(2): 461–471

[32] Yan T, Zhang X, Liu H. . CeO₂ particles anchored to Ni₂P nanoplate for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2022, 41: 2201047–2201053

[33] Yang J, Wu X, Mei Z. . CVD assisted synthesis of macro/mesoporous TiO₂/g-C₃N₄ S-scheme heterojunction for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Advanced Sustainable Systems, 2022, 6(8): 2200056

[34] Mei Z, Wang G, Yan S, Wang J. Rapid microwave-assisted synthesis of 2D/1D ZnIn₂S₄/TiO₂ S-scheme heterojunction for catalyzing photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2021, 37(6): 2009097

[35] Wang P, Li H, Cao Y. . Carboxyl-functionalized graphene for highly efficient H₂-evolution activity of TiO₂ photocatalyst. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2021, 37(6): 2008047

[36] Han B, Liu S, Zhang N. . One-dimensional CdS@MoS₂ core-shell nanowires for boosted photocatalytic hydrogen evolution under visible light. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 2017, 202: 298–304

[37] Yang M Q, Han C, Xu Y J. Insight into the effect of highly dispersed MoS₂ versus layer-structured MoS₂ on the photocorrosion and photoactivity of CdS in graphene–CdS–MoS₂ composites. Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2015, 119(49): 27234–27246

[38] Li Y H, Qi M Y, Li J Y. . Noble metal free CdS@CuS-Ni_xP hybrid with modulated charge transfer for enhanced photocatalytic performance. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 2019, 257: 117934

[39] Lu K Q, Qi M Y, Tang Z R. . Earth-abundant MoS₂ and cobalt phosphate dual cocatalysts on 1D CdS nanowires for boosting photocatalytic hydrogen production. Langmuir, 2019, 35(34): 11056–11065

[40] Wang Z, Wang L, Cheng B. . Photocatalytic H₂ evolution coupled with furfuralcohol oxidation over Pt-modified ZnCdS solid solution. Small Methods, 2021, 5(11): 2100979

[41] Adenle A, Zhou H, Tao X. . Crystal facet modulation of Bi₂WO₆ microplates for spatial charge separation and inhibiting reverse reaction. Chemical Communications, 2021, 57(88): 11637–11640

[42] Bai Y, Zhou Y, Zhang J. . Homophase junction for promoting spatial charge separation in photocatalytic water splitting. ACS Catalysis, 2019, 9(4): 3242–3252

[43] Scanlon D O, Dunnill C W, Buckeridge J. . Band alignment of rutile and anatase TiO₂. Nature Materials, 2013, 12(9): 798–801

[44] Liu M, Jing D, Zhou Z. . Twin-induced one-dimensional homojunctions yield high quantum efficiency for solar hydrogen generation. Nature Communications, 2013, 4(1): 2278

[45] Liu M, Wang L, (Max) Lu G. . Twins in Cd_1−xZn_xS solid solution: Highly efficient photocatalyst for hydrogen generation from water. Energy & Environmental Science, 2011, 4: 1372–1378

[46] Naldoni A, Altomare M, Zoppellaro G. . Photocatalysis with reduced TiO₂: From black TiO₂ to cocatalyst-free hydrogen production. ACS Catalysis, 2019, 9(1): 345–364

[47] Wang B, Shen S, Mao S S. Black TiO₂ for solar hydrogen conversion. Journal of Materiomics, 2017, 3(2): 96–111

[48] Chen X, Liu L, Yu P Y. . Increasing solar absorption for photocatalysis with black hydrogenated titanium dioxide nanocrystals. Science, 2011, 331(6018): 746–750

[49] Wang B, Shen S, Guo L. Surface reconstruction of facet-functionalized SrTiO₃ nanocrystals for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. ChemCatChem, 2016, 8(4): 798–804

[50] Takata T, Jiang J, Sakata Y. . Photocatalytic water splitting with a quantum efficiency of almost unity. Nature, 2020, 581(7809): 411–414

[51] Ohno T, Sarukawa K, Matsumura M. Crystal faces of rutile and anatase TiO₂ particles and their roles in photocatalytic reactions. New Journal of Chemistry, 2002, 26(9): 1167–1170

[52] Tachikawa T, Yamashita S, Majima T. Evidence for crystal-face-dependent TiO₂ photocatalysis from single-molecule imaging and kinetic analysis. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2011, 133(18): 7197–7204

[53] Li R, Zhang F, Wang D. . Spatial separation of photogenerated electrons and holes among {010} and {110} crystal facets of BiVO₄. Nature Communications, 2013, 4(1): 1432

[54] Li R, Han H, Zhang F. . Highly efficient photocatalysts constructed by rational assembly of dual-cocatalysts separately on different facets of BiVO₄. Energy & Environmental Science, 2014, 7(4): 1369–1376

[55] Zhu J, Fan F, Chen R. . Direct imaging of highly anisotropic photogenerated charge separations on different facets of a single BiVO₄ photocatalyst. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2015, 54(31): 9111–9114

[56] Li N, Liu M, Zhou Z. . Charge separation in facet-engineered chalcogenide photocatalyst: A selective photocorrosion approach. Nanoscale, 2014, 6(16): 9695–9702

[57] Wang B, Liu M, Zhou Z. . Surface activation of faceted photocatalyst: When metal cocatalyst determines the nature of the facets. Advanced Science, 2015, 2(11): 1500153

[58] Wang B, Shen S, Guo L. SrTiO₃ single crystals enclosed with high-indexed {023} facets and {001} facets for photocatalytic hydrogen and oxygen evolution. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 2015, 166–167: 320–326

Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 52225606 and 51888103), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, China, and the Youth Innovation Team of Shaanxi Universities, China.

Electronic Supplementary Material

Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-023-0894-4 and is accessible for authorized users.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2023 Higher Education Press 2023