Microcrystals of SrTiO3:Al prepared from flux-mediated method were previously shown by Domen group to catalyze overall water splitting with AQE of 30% at 360 nm after modification with RhyCr2-yO3. Here we demonstrate that nanocrystals of this catalyst can be obtained by hydrothermal synthesis. Nano-SrTiO3:Al/RhyCr2-yO3 is active for overall water splitting under sunlight illumination. The activity depends on particle size and shows a volcano-like dependence on the amount of aluminum dopant. Optical spectroscopy, surface photovoltage spectroscopy, and photoelectrochemistry are used to measure the effective band gap, light penetration depth, majority carrier type, photovoltage, and space charge layer width in the material. Analysis of these parameters provides an understanding of the factors that limit solar water splitting with a photocatalyst nearly entirely made of abundant materials.

Aluminum doped SrTiO3 nanocrystals as photocatalyst for overall water splitting under sunlight

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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