Semicrystalline SrTiO₃‐Decorated Anatase TiO₂ Nanopie as Heterostructure for Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Abstract

Abstract The coupling of TiO 2 and SrTiO 3 through elaborate bandgap engineering can provide synergies for highly efficient photocatalysts. To further improve the separation between photogenerated electrons and holes, a nano‐heterostructured combination of semicrystalline SrTiO 3 (S‐SrTiO 3 ) and anatase TiO 2 nanoparticles is designed, and an optimized interface is achieved between uniformly grown S‐SrTiO 3 and metal organic framework (MOF)‐derived anatase TiO 2 through a controlled hydrothermal process. Besides tuning of the bandgap and broadening of the absorption spectral range, S‐SrTiO 3 particles alleviate charge carrier recombination benefiting from the coupling of the semicrystalline SrTiO 3 around the interface. Additionally, highly dispersed S‐SrTiO 3 on TiO 2 provides a good spatial distribution of active sites and the abundant carbon remained from MOF may reduce charge transport resistance. Moreover, the rapid transfer within the nano‐heterostructure promotes the separation of the photogenerated charge carriers. With the above predominant architecture, when used as a photocatalyst, the as‐synthesized S‐SrTiO 3 /TiO 2 heterostructure exhibits exceptionally high photocatalytic performance of 13 005 µmol h –1 g –1 for H 2 production, exceeding most oxide‐based photocatalysts reported. This study might provide mechanistic insights into a new perspective for the design and preparation of photocatalysts with novel structure and enhanced catalysis activity.