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Synthesis and facet-dependent photocatalytic activity of strontium titanate polyhedron nanocrystals

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Abstract

Cubic-perovskite (SrTiO3) has a great potential to be utilized in a wide range of applications. However, currently very little is known about the shape and facet effects of SrTiO3 on their physicochemical properties. This is largely owing to the difficulties in controlling the morphology of facets during synthesis. Herein, we describe a facile route for the facet- and size-controlled fabrication of singlecrystalline SrTiO3 triangular prisms with highly exposed {101} side faces and {111} end faces. Theoretical and experimental studies of their photocatalytic performance have shown that triangular prisms exhibit superior photocatalytic activities than nanocubes with exposed (001) faces for the degradation of organic contaminants, which may be primarily attributed to the much higher surface energy of {101} facets (2.97 J/m2) and {111} facets (2.80 J/m2) than of that of {001} facets (0.98 J/m2).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nanomaterials and Nanoproducts Research Center, Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine, No. 11, Ronghua South Road, Beijing, 100176, China

    Junfang Li, Hua Bai, Yahui Li, Qing Zhang, Haifeng Yang & Guangcheng Xi

  2. International Joint Research Laboratory of Nano-Micro Architecture Chemistry, Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, 130023, China

    Wencai Yi & Jingyao Liu

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  1. Junfang Li
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  2. Hua Bai
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  8. Guangcheng Xi
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Correspondence to Guangcheng Xi.

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Li, J., Bai, H., Yi, W. et al. Synthesis and facet-dependent photocatalytic activity of strontium titanate polyhedron nanocrystals. Nano Res. 9, 1523–1531 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-016-1048-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-016-1048-3

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