Rapid preparation of perovskite lead niobate nanosheets by ultrasonic-assisted exfoliation for enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic hydrogen production

Ultrathin perovskite lead niobate nanosheets, (TBA/H)Pb₂Nb₃O₁₀, were rapidly prepared by novel high-power ultrasonic exfoliation of layered HPb₂Nb₃O₁₀, and were used as a photocatalyst for hydrogen production from methanol solution under visible light irradiation (λ>415 nm) for the first time. When compared with bulk HPb₂Nb₃O₁₀, the nanosheets showed same tetragonal crystal structure, but dramatic decrease in thickness and two times higher photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity. Enhanced photocatalytic performance resulted from the fact that the photoexcited electrons were more efficiently separated and utilized for H₂ production on the nanosheets, owing to shorter migration distance of photoexcited electrons. The buzz for the latest photocatalyst: Ultrathin perovskite lead niobate nanosheets, (TBA/H)Pb₂Nb₃O₁₀, are rapidly prepared by novel high-power ultrasonic exfoliation of layered HPb₂Nb₃O₁₀. The nanosheets show increased photocatalytic H₂ evolution activity when compared with parent HPb₂Nb₃O₁₀. Photoexcited electrons are more efficiently separated and utilized for H₂ production on nanosheets, owing to shorter migration distance of photoexcited electrons to the cocatalysts.