Z-scheme Si/MgTiO3 porous heterostructures: Noble metal and sacrificial agent free photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Fabricating Z-scheme photocatalysts is an important strategy for improving the conduction-band edge, reducing the valance-band edge and speeding the separation of photogenerated electrons and holes, which is attracting more attention. In our study, Si/mgTio(3) heterostructures were synthesized by Mg thermal reduction of SiO2/TiO2 composites and HF-treatment. Through combination of these two materials (Si, MgTiO3) with non-ideal band structure for photocatalytic water splitting, the Si/MgTiO3 heterostructures performed a decent H-2 generation from pure water without any sacrificial agents and shown excellent stability under visible light irradiation. Moreover, this is the first study to report the MgTiO3 as host photocatalyst. Through this artificial modulation of band structure can turn impossible into possible. (C) 2016 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.