PVA/Pt/N-TiO₂/SrTiO₃ porous films with adjustable pore size for hydrogen production under simulated sunlight

In this study, poly(vinyl alcohol)/platinum/nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide/strontium titanate composite (PVA/Pt/NT/STO) porous films with adjustable pore sizes were successfully synthesized using the facile etching SiO₂ method. This enhanced the light transmittance and contact rate between the photocatalyst and solution. The effects of the size and number of the pores on the hydrogen production rate were studied under simulated sunlight. The pore size of the PVA/Pt/NT/STO film increased with increasing particle size of the as-prepared SiO₂, and the photocatalytic hydrogen production efficiency increased with increasing pore size and number. Due to the formation of pores on the film, the light transmittance and charge separation of the film increased. Owing to the good light transmittance and charge separation of the porous PVA/Pt/NT/STO film, the optimal photocatalytic hydrogen production rate of the PVA/Pt/NT/STO-8S-I-20 reached 34,895 μmol/h/g when the alcohol solvent, synthesis time, and SiO₂ concentration were isopropanol, 20 h, and 8 wt%, respectively. Furthermore, the photocatalytic hydrogen production rate was approximately three times higher than that of the dense PVA/Pt/NT/STO film.