Water oxidation sites located at the interface of Pt/SrTiO3 for photocatalytic overall water splitting

When a proton reduction cocatalyst is loaded on an n-type semiconductor for photocatalytic overall water splitting (POWS), the location of oxidation sites generally considered at surface due to upward band-bending which may ease transfer photogenerated holes surface. However, this not case Pt/SrTiO3, model based photocatalyst POWS. It was found that are more readily accumulated interface between Pt and SrTiO3 as probed by photo-oxidative deposition PbO2, indicating located SrTiO3. Electron paramagnetic resonance scanning transmission electron microscope studies suggest interfacial oxygen atoms in Pt/SrTiO3 after POWS lost form vacancies upon vacuum heat treatment, regardless loading photodeposition or impregnation methods, serve additional support active interface. Density functional theory calculations also evolution reaction occurs with lowest overpotential. These experimental theoretical reveal SrTiO3, rather than Hence, tailor design control properties extremely important achievement improvement photocatalyst.