Investigation of Al doped Rh@Cr2O3/SrTiO3 photocatalysts in overall seawater splitting with the synergetic electron mediators
Journal
Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers
Journal Volume
169
Start Page
105971
ISSN
1876-1070
Date Issued
2025-04
Author(s)
Dinh-Tu Luu-Dang
Ngan My Tran
Han Ngoc-Doan Huynh
Tuan-Anh Nguyen
Dinh Quan Nguyen
Marjeta Maček Kržmanc
Van-Han Dang
Abstract
Background: The solar-driven photocatalytic seawater splitting process for simultaneous hydrogen and oxygen gas has garnered significant attention as a promising technique for generating eco-friendly chemical fuels. This approach is particularly attractive because of its low cost, and the ability to utilize abundant sunlight and seawater resources. Methods: The Rh@Cr2O3/SrTiO3:Al (RCSTOA) heterojunction photocatalyst, synthesized via flux technique and photodeposition treatment, possessed distinctive physicochemical properties and exhibited high photocatalytic seawater-splitting performance. Significant findings: The findings emphasized that the thin layers of Rh@Cr2O3 structure (5–20 nm) firmly intimate with a SrTiO3:Al (STOA) photocatalyst significantly enhanced the seawater-splitting process without requiring any sacrificial agents. Hydrogen and oxygen evolution rates (HER and OER) in natural seawater splitting increased significantly, achieving 263 and 130 µmol.g−1.h−1, respectively maintaining photostability after five consecutive cycles under simulated sunlight illumination. Notably, under the synergy of I−-anion solution, the HER improved to 332 µmol.g−1.h−1 without any OER, highlighting potential for H₂/O₂ separation. These findings are expected to advance seawater splitting technology and contribute to potential H2/O2 separation techniques in this field.
Subjects
Core-shell cocatalyst structure
H2/O2 separation
Hydrogen production
Overall photocatalytic seawater splitting
Shuttle mediators
SDGs
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Type
journal article