Photocatalytic Mechanisms in Strontium Titanate Systems

Strontium titanate (SrTiO₃) is a prototypical perovskite semiconductor renowned for its photochemical stability and suitability for solar-driven reactions. Photocatalysis in SrTiO₃ systems proceeds via absorption of photons with energy exceeding its band gap, generating electron–hole pairs that migrate to the surface and drive redox transformations. However, the wide intrinsic band gap and rapid recombination of photogenerated carriers have prompted intensive efforts to tailor electronic structure and surface properties. Strategies include precise control of crystal facets to modulate work functions and carrier lifetimes, introduction of oxygen vacancies or aliovalent dopants to create mid-gap states and extend light absorption into the visible region, and assembly of heterojunctions or deposition of co-catalysts to enhance charge separation. These advances have underpinned notable progress in solar hydrogen evolution, overall water splitting, and pollutant degradation, highlighting SrTiO₃’s potential as a versatile platform for sustainable energy and environmental technologies.

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Technical terms

Perovskite structure: A crystal lattice of the form ABO₃ in which a corner-linked network of BO₆ octahedra accommodates A-site cations, offering tunable electronic and surface properties.

Band gap: The energy difference between a material’s valence and conduction bands; photons with energy equal to or above this threshold can generate electron–hole pairs.

Photogenerated charge carriers: Electrons and holes produced when photons excite electrons across the band gap, which migrate to reactant sites to drive redox processes.

Oxygen vacancies: Missing oxygen atoms in the lattice that introduce defect states within the band gap, altering light absorption and carrier lifetimes.

Co-catalyst: An additional catalytic species deposited on a photocatalyst surface to improve charge separation and accelerate specific surface reactions, such as hydrogen evolution.

References

1. A unique octadecahedron SrTiO 3 perovskite oxide with a nano step-shaped facet structure for enhanced photoredox and hydrogen evolution performance. Journal of Materials Chemistry A (2023).
2. Photocatalytic Overall Water Splitting by SrTiO3 with Surface Oxygen Vacancies. Nanomaterials (2020).
3. Nano-structured rhodium doped SrTiO3–Visible light activated photocatalyst for water decontamination. Applied Catalysis B Environment and Energy (2017).