2D/Quasi-2D Ruddlesden-Popper Perovskite: A High-Performance Photocatalyst for Hydrogen Evolution

In recent years, two-dimensional (2D) and quasi-2D Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) perovskite materials have been developed as emerging semiconductor materials for solar cells due to their structural diversity and high power-conversion efficiency, but there are few reports on the photocatalytic applications. Here, 2D/quasi-2D RP BA(2)MA(n-1)Pb(n)I(3n+1) perovskite was fabricated as a hydrogen evolution photocatalyst for hydrohalic acid splitting. Theoretical and experimental surveys show that the stress in BA(2)MA(n-1)Pb(n)I(3n+1) can significantly influence the photoelectronic properties. More importantly, charge carrier dynamics investigation shows that the quasi-2D perovskite with a high n value has more efficient charge transport and separation capability, obtaining the highest photocatalytic activity. When loading with Pt as the cocatalyst, 2.0 wt % Pt/BA(2)MA(3)Pb(4)I(13) exhibits a superior photocatalytic H-2 evolution activity of 394.8 mu mol h(-1) with an STH (solar-to-hydrogen efficiency) of 1.21%, better than most reported 3D perovskite photocatalysts. This work is expected to provide insights into expanding metal halide perovskite-based photocatalysts for efficient photocatalytic H-2 evolution.

Automated summary

In recent years, two-dimensional and quasi-2D Ruddlesden-Popper perovskite materials have been developed as emerging semiconductor materials for solar cells due to their structural diversity and high power-conversion efficiency. However, their photocatalytic applications have been rarely explored. In this study, a 2D/quasi-2D RP perovskite was fabricated and used as a photocatalyst for hydrohalic acid splitting. The results showed that the stress in the perovskite significantly influenced its photoelectronic properties, and the quasi-2D perovskite with a high n value exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity, attributed to its efficient charge transport and separation capability.