SrZrO3 powders: Alternative synthesis, characterization and application as photocatalysts for hydrogen evolution from water splitting. (15th October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huerta-Flores, A.M.; Torres-Martínez, L.M.; Sánchez-Martínez, D.; Zarazúa-Morín, M.E.
• Is Part Of: Fuel. Volume 158(2015)
• Page Start: 66
• Page End: 71
• Publication Date: 2015-10-15
• Subjects: SrZrO3 -- Molten salts -- Ultrasound -- Water splitting; Fuel -- Periodicals; Coal -- Periodicals; Coal; Fuel; Periodicals; 662.6
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2015.05.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0016-2361

Abstract

Highlights: SrZrO3 was synthesized by solid state, molten salts and ultrasound assisted method. SrZrO3 catalyzed hydrogen evolution under UV light. Best catalytic activity was exhibited by SrZrO3 obtained by solid state. Effect of crystallinity on the photocatalytic activity was studied. Abstract: In this study, it was synthesized strontium zirconate (SrZrO3 ) powders using three methods: a traditional solid-state reaction, molten salts and ultrasound-assisted synthesis. The structural, morphological, optical and textural properties of the prepared powders were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method. The effect of each synthesis method on these properties is herein discussed. XRD analysis confirmed the formation of polycrystalline powders with an orthorhombic structure in all three cases. The average crystallite size of the samples was determined from the XRD data using the Scherrer equation. The powders obtained from the solid-state reaction exhibited the largest crystallite size (131.5 nm). The materials were evaluated as catalysts for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from water splitting. The results confirm that SrZrO3 is a suitable photocatalyst for clean hydrogen generation from water under UV light irradiation, and crystallinity exhibited the greatest effect on the catalytic activity.