Mesostructured ellipsoidal capsules barium stannate based perovskite photocatalysts anchored PtO nanoparticles for hydrogen evolution

Background:: The separation and transportation of photocarriers are considered significant factors in photo-catalytic H2 evolution. Method:: Mesoporous BaSnO3, with superior electron mobility with a large surface area, was chosen to integrate PtO nanoparticles (NPs) to obtain a highly effective photocatalytic system. PtO NPs (5-10 nm) are uniformly hosted with high crystallinity on the mesoporous BaSnO3 networks by impregnation-calcination approach. Significant Findings: : TEM images of BaSnO3 exhibited ellipsoidal capsules with lengths of 200 +/- 10 nm and a diameter of 50 nm. The construction PtO/BaSnO3 heterojunction system with better electron transport ability was modulated to achieve better photocatalytic ability than BaSnO3. The H2 evolution over 1.2% PtO/BaSnO3 nanocomposite was about 21,550 mu mol center dot g- 1 after 9 h visible illumination, while bare BaSnO3 was produced only 3750 mu mol center dot g-1. The optimal 1.2% PtO/BaSnO3 nanocomposite revealed the largest H2 evolution, and it was promoted 5.75 times larger than BaSnO3. The H2 evolution rate over-optimized 1.2% PtO/BaSnO3 photocatalyst was about 2380 mu molg- 1h-1, 6 times larger than that of bare BaSnO3 (397.37 mu molg- 1h-1). The obtained PtO/ BaSnO3 nanocomposites could facilitate the photoinduced electrons transfer from BaSnO3 to PtO, indicating the efficient photoinduced carriers separation for the enhanced H2 evolution rate. The PtO/BaSnO3 nanocomposite displayed high photostability and recyclability even after 45 h of illumination. This work provides a novel approach for perovskites with mesoporous structures and tunable bandgap with low PtO content utilized in energy applications and photocatalytic reactions.

Automated summary

In this study, mesoporous BaSnO3 with superior electron mobility and large surface area was utilized to integrate PtO nanoparticles, resulting in a highly efficient photocatalytic system. The PtO/BaSnO3 nanocomposite demonstrated higher H2 production and faster photocatalytic reaction rate under visible light irradiation. This research provides a novel approach for utilizing perovskite materials with mesoporous structures and tunable bandgap in energy applications and photocatalytic reactions.