Virus-templated visible spectrum active perovskite photocatalyst

• Biologically synthesized SrTiO3 nanowires.
• Newly developed method for fabrication of visible-light active SrTiO3 photocatalyst.
• Hydrogen evolution under visible-light irradiation with SrTiO3 nanowires.

In this study, photocatalytically active perovskite strontium titanate (SrTiO3) nanowires are fabricated for the first time using genetically engineered AEEE-M13 phage and metal alkoxide precursors. One newly developed doping approach with an ammonia gas treatment efficiently produced strontium titanate nanowires, which split water and produce hydrogen under visible-light irradiation. The optical absorption of nitrogen-doped strontium titanate can be tuned by varying the processing conditions and lies in the visible spectrum range when treated at 625 °C–650 °C. The excellent hydrogen evolution rate of these nanomaterials is correlated with both optical absorption and nitrogen doping level.

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