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.