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Title: Photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical hydrogen production on strontium titanate single crystals

Journal Article · · J. Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ja00537a013· OSTI ID:7017699

Sustained photogeneration of hydrogen was observed on metal-free as well as on platinized SrTiO/sub 3/ single crystals illuminated in aqueous alkaline electrolytes or in the presence of electrolyte films. Hydrogen evolution rates increased with electrolyte hydroxide concentration, most strongly at hydroxide concentrations above 5 N. Both stoichiometric and prereduced metal-free crystals were active for hydrogen photoproduction. No activity was observed from crystals in neutral or acidic solutions or in water vapor in the absence of a crust of a basic deliquescent compounds. Metal-free crystals appear to evolve hydrogen via a photocatalytic mechanism in which all chemistry occurs at the illuminated surface. The results allow direct comparison of the photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical processes and have implications for the development of heterogeneous photocatalysis at the gas-solid interface.

Research Organization:
Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States)
OSTI ID:
7017699
Journal Information:
J. Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States), Vol. 102
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English