SrZrO3 powders: Alternative synthesis, characterization and application as photocatalysts for hydrogen evolution from water splitting

In this study, it was synthesized strontium zirconate (SrZrO3) powders using three methods: a traditional solid-state reaction, molten salts and ultrasound-assisted synthesis. The structural, morphological, optical and textural properties of the prepared powders were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method. The effect of each synthesis method on these properties is herein discussed. XRD analysis confirmed the formation of polycrystalline powders with an orthorhombic structure in all three cases. The average crystallite size of the samples was determined from the XRD data using the Scherrer equation. The powders obtained from the solid-state reaction exhibited the largest crystallite size (131.5 nm). The materials were evaluated as catalysts for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from water splitting. The results confirm that SrZrO3 is a suitable photocatalyst for clean hydrogen generation from water under UV light irradiation, and crystallinity exhibited the greatest effect on the catalytic activity. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.