Preparation of SrTiO3/Bi2S3 Heterojunction for Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production

SrTiO3, Bi2S3, and SrTiO3/Bi2S3 heterojunction were prepared for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production. SrTiO3/Bi2S3 heterojunction was prepared by different weight percentages of Bi2S3 (1, 3, 5, and 7%) with SrTiO3. SrTiO3 and Bi2S3 are exhibited in cubic and orthorhombic crystal structures, respectively. The morphologies of SrTiO3 and Bi2S3 have existed as nanocubic and bar-like structures, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results further confirmed the formation of SrTiO3/Bi2S3 heterojunction. The photoluminescence (PL) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) results indicated that the SrTiO3/Bi2S3 heterojunction reduces the rate of photogenerated electron-hole pair recombination and electron-transfer resistance than pure SrTiO3 and Bi2S3. The formation of SrTiO3/Bi2S3 heterojunction effectively separates the photogenerated charge carriers, which enhances the photocatalytic hydrogen production under UV light. The SrTiO3/Bi2S3 heterojunction shows superior photocatalytic hydrogen production than bare SrTiO3 and Bi2S3 due to the synergistic effect. The photocatalytic hydrogen production of SrTiO3/Bi2S3 (5%) gives 7.7 mmol g(-1) within 180 min under UV irradiation.

Automated summary

In this study, SrTiO3, Bi2S3, and SrTiO3/Bi2S3 heterojunction were prepared for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production. By controlling the weight percentage of Bi2S3, the SrTiO3/Bi2S3 heterojunction showed enhanced photocatalytic performance compared to pure SrTiO3 and Bi2S3. The formation of SrTiO3/Bi2S3 heterojunction effectively separated the photogenerated charge carriers, leading to improved photocatalytic hydrogen production under UV light.