One-step sol-gel synthesis of PbTiO3 nanosheets and photocatalytic enhancement through decoration by platinum

Mesoporous PbTiO3 nanosheets were synthesized by a one-step sol-gel process employing the F127 surfactant as a structure directing agent. Different percentages of platinum nanoparticles (0.2–0.8 wt%) were deposited onto mesoporous PbTiO3 nanosheets surface employing a photoassisted deposition method. TEM images of Pt@PbTiO3 mesoporous nanocomposites show the close proximity of lattice fringes 0.220 nm of metallic platinum (111) and the 0.284 nm lattice layout of the PbTiO3 (101). The synthesized Pt@PbTiO3 mesoporous composites were tested in the presence of glycerol employing visible light derived photocatalytic water splitting reaction. The H2 evolution rate with the use of 0.6 wt% Pt@PbTiO3 reached 3564 μmol/g, which is 85 times higher than the rate when pure mesoporous PbTiO3 was used. The H2 evolution rate when using PbTiO3 was 42 μmol g−1 h−1, which was enhanced to 3564 μmol g−1 h−1 upon the use of 0.6 wt% Pt@PbTiO3. Pt@PbTiO3 nanocomposites exhibit excellent photocatalytic activity with outstanding stability and enhanced possibility of reuse with a potential to be used in environmental and energy applications.