Hydrogen production over Au-loaded mesoporous-assembled SrTiO3 nanocrystal photocatalyst: Effects of molecular structure and chemical properties of hole scavengers

The hydrogen production via the photocatalytic water splitting under UV irradiation using different compounds as hole scavengers (including methanol, formic acid, acetic acid, propanoic acid, hydrochloric acid, and sulfuric acid) under a low concentration range (<8 vol.%) was investigated over the 1 wt.% Au-loaded mesoporous-assembled SrTiO3 nanocrystal photocatalyst. The results indicated that the hydrogen production efficiency greatly depended on the molecular structure, chemical properties, and concentration of the hole scavengers. Formic acid, which is the smallest and completely-dissociated water-soluble carboxylic acid, exhibited the highest hydrogen production enhancement ability. The 2.5 vol.% aqueous formic acid solution system provided the highest photocatalytic hydrogen production rate.

Formic acid, which is the smallest and completely-dissociated water-soluble carboxylic acid, exhibited the highest hydrogen production enhancement ability over the 1 wt.% Au-loaded mesoporous-assembled SrTiO3 nanocrystal photocatalyst.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights
► The 1 wt.% Au-loaded mesoporous-assembled SrTiO3 nanocrystal photocatalyst was synthesized.
► The molecular structure and chemical properties of hole scavengers affected H2 production rate.
► Formic acid exhibited the highest photocatalytic H2 production enhancement ability.