title: Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production over Chromium Doped Layered Perovskite Sr2TiO4.
abstract: Layered semiconductor photocatalysts have been found to exhibit promising performance levels, probably linked to their interlayer framework that facilitates separation of charge carriers and the reduction/oxidation reactions. Layered titanates, however, generally demonstrate activities under UV irradiation, and therein lies the strong desire to extend their activity into the visible light region. Here, we investigated a series of layered perovskite by doping Sr2TiO4 with Cr and/or La in the hope to improve their visible light responses. Their crystal structures and other physicochemical properties were systematically explored. Our results show that La and Cr can be successfully accommodated in the layered structure and Cr is an efficient dopant for the extension of visible light absorbance. Much enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution was observed after doping and was found to be composition-dependent. The highest hydrogen production rate approaches 97.7 μmol/h for Sr2Ti0.95Cr0.05O4-δ under full range irradiation (λ ≥ 250 nm) and 17 μmol/h for Sr2Ti0.9Cr0.1O4-δ under visible light irradiation (λ ≥ 400 nm), corresponding to an apparent quantum efficiency of 0.16% and 0.05%, respectively. Theoretical calculation reveals that the improved optical and photocatalytic properties are owing to a newly formed spin-polarized valence band from Cr 3d orbitals. The decreased unit cell parameters, reduced band gaps as well as anisotropic properties of layered architectures are likely the reasons for a better activity. Nevertheless, instability of these compounds in the presence of moisture and CO2 was also noticed, suggesting that protective atmospheres are needed for the storage of these photocatalysts.
authors.affiliation: †Shanghai Key Lab of Chemical Assessment and Sustainability, Department of Chemistry, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200092, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoqin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: †Shanghai Key Lab of Chemical Assessment and Sustainability, Department of Chemistry, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200092, China.
authors.forename: Yinghao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.affiliation: †Shanghai Key Lab of Chemical Assessment and Sustainability, Department of Chemistry, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200092, China.
authors.forename: Fangfang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: †Shanghai Key Lab of Chemical Assessment and Sustainability, Department of Chemistry, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200092, China.
authors.forename: Hongmei
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: †Shanghai Key Lab of Chemical Assessment and Sustainability, Department of Chemistry, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200092, China.
authors.forename: Meilin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lv
authors.affiliation: ‡Science and Technology on Plasma Physics Laboratory, Laser Fusion Research Center, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China.
authors.forename: Shuang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ni
authors.affiliation: §Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science, Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Science, 72 Wenhua Road, Shenyang 110016, China.
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: †Shanghai Key Lab of Chemical Assessment and Sustainability, Department of Chemistry, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai, 200092, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoxiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xu