Facile synthesis of SrTiO3 hollow microspheres built as assembly of nanocubes and their associated photocatalytic activity

SrTiO3 hollow microspheres built by regular nanocubes were synthesized by a general and facile hydrothermal method. The resulting samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. Owing to the special hollow structure, the synthesized SrTiO3 microspheres exhibit a superior photocatalytic activity in photoreduction of Cr(VI). As anatase and titanate contain common structural features, it makes this in situ phase transition from anatase to titanate relatively easy. Therefore, this method is rather convenient for controlling the morphology of the products by varying the presynthesized anatase TiO2 precursor.

Graphical abstractSrTiO3 hollow microspheres built by nanocubes were synthesized by hydrothermal method. Owing to the special hollow structure, the synthesized SrTiO3 microspheres exhibit a superior photocatalytic activity in photoreduction of Cr(VI).Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (85 K)Download as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights► Hierarchical SrTiO3 hollow microspheres were synthesized. ► Microspheres were assembled by nanocubes. ► The sample exhibits a superior photocatalytic activity. ► The activity is due to the hierarchical hollow structure. ► In situ phase transition from anatase to titanate is relatively easy.