Solvothermal synthesis and photocatalytic properties of chromium-doped SrTiO3 nanoparticles

Chromium (Cr)-doped SrTiO3 nanoparticles were synthesized by a microwave-assisted solvothermal reaction using SrCl2·6H2O and Ti(OC3H7)4 as starting materials in KOH methanol–oleic acid solution. The products were characterized by XRD, TEM, BET surface area, and XPS. The photocatalytic activity was determined by DeNOx ability using LED lamps with wavelengths of 627 nm (red), 530 nm (green), 445 nm (blue) and 390 nm (UV). The nanoparticles of perovskite type Cr-doped SrTiO3 with a particle size of 15–20 nm were successfully synthesized. The photocatalytic activity of SrTiO3 for DeNOx ability under visible light (627 nm) irradiation was able to be improved by doping with a small amount of Cr. The high photocatalytic activity of Cr-doped SrTiO3 in the visible region was caused by new absorption in the visible region.

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► Synthesis Cr-doped SrTiO3 (SrTi1 − xCrxO3) nanoparticles under solvothermal reaction.
► A new band gap in the visible light region could be generated.
► Showing the excellent photocatalytic activity in red light irradiation (λ = 627 nm).
► Small amount (x = 0.005) of chromium resulted in high photocatalytic activity.