Neutron Diffraction Study of Perovskite Photocatalysts

Photocatalytic water splitting is of significant interest due to the potential utilization of renewable solar energy for production of clean and green H2 fuel. Among various metal oxide based photocatalysts, perovskite oxides are promising. In a ABO3 perovskite structure, changing stoichiometry or creating A or B site defects by incorporating cations with different valency and size facilitates interesting properties. Moreover, exsolution of light absorbing nanoparticles from the perovskite lattice can result in improved photocatalysts. The aim of this neutron diffraction study is to explore and improve understanding of the substitution and exsolution mechanism in the perovskite lattice and therefore its influence on photocatalysis can be correlated. Furthermore, this will enable us to optimize and develop a new class of photocatalyst materials with enhanced energy conversion efficiency.