Nanoassembly of perovskite-based photocatalysts in a nanoconfined system for photocatalytic H2 production under visible light

This study reports the polymer-inorganic nanofibers directed nanoassembly of SrTiO3 and its crystal growth behavior in a polymeric nanoconfined system with two synthesis variables, including precursor concentrations and calcination temperatures. The synthesis variables were also optimized to get nanoassembled SrTiO3 in terms of photocatalytic H-2 evolution. Using the optimized nanoassembled SrTiO3 as a platform, CdS/SrTiO3 and CdS/Au/SrTiO3 heterostructures were fabricated to investigate the nanofiber directed SrTiO3 nanoassembly effect on the photoactivity of these heterostructures under visible light. The nanoassembled SrTiO3-based heterostructures demonstrate an increased photocatalytic H-2 evolution rate compared to their respective unassembled heterostructures due to the advantageous interparticle nanoassembly which facilitates faster electron transport and better photoexcited charge separation. Photocatalyst heterostructure nanoassembly is one potential method of enhancing charge separation in photocatalysis.