Engineering SrTiO3 nanostructures for enhanced photocatalytic performance : unveiling the influence of titanium precursors and synthesis temperature

Abstract

The development of advanced functional materials relies on key properties such as morphology, crystallinity, and electronic structure. In this work, we present the hydrothermal synthesis of SrTiO3 nanoparticles using amorphous titanium as a precursor and systematically investigate the influence of synthesis temperature (from 20 to 200 °C) on their structural, morphological, and chemical characteristics. Electron microscopy revealed a temperature-driven morphological transition from nanocube-like to spherical-like structures. X-ray diffraction analyses demonstrated improved crystallinity with increasing temperature, although local imperfections persisted, contributing to structural disorder. UV−vis spectroscopy showed a slight variation in the optical band gap, ranging from 3.36 to 3.28 eV across the samples. Notably, the sample synthesized at 60 °C exhibited significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity for H2 production, reaching approximately 43 μmol h−1 . This enhancement was attributed to a synergistic interplay among the surface area, crystallinity, and composition. A dissolution−precipitation mechanism is proposed to explain the in situ formation of SrTiO3, guided by the solubility and surface reactivity of the titanium precursor. These findings provide valuable insights into the design and optimization of SrTiO3- based materials for photocatalytic and related applications, where fine-tuning structural and surface properties is essential to maximize performance.