Microwave-assisted rapid synthesis and photocatalytic activity of mesoporous Nd-doped SrTiO3 nanospheres and nanoplates

Mesoporous Nd-doped SrTiO3 nanospheres and nanoplates with high specific surface areas have been successfully synthesized using tetra-n-butyl titanate, Sr(NO3)2, Nd(NO3)3 and NaOH in mixed solvents of ethylene glycol and deionized water by a rapid microwave-assisted solvothermal method at 200 °C for 10 min. Mesoporous Nd-doped SrTiO3 nanospheres are obtained at lower concentrations of the reactants. However, the product undergoes a dramatic morphological change from nanosphere to nanoplate when the concentrations of the reactants are increased. The photocatalytic activities of the samples for the degradation of methylene blue under simulated solar light irradiation (λ>290 nm) and visible light irradiation (λ>420 nm) are also evaluated. Both the mesoporous Nd-doped SrTiO3 nanospheres and nanoplates show higher photocatalytic activities than that of the commercial TiO2 (P25) under visible light irradiation.

► Nd-doped SrTiO3 mesoporous nanospheres and nanoplates are synthesized.
► Microwave-solvothermal rapid synthesis is demonstrated.
► Nd-doped SrTiO3 mesoporous nanostructures show high photocatalytic activity.