Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Using Mesoporous Honeycomb Iron Titanate

Mesoporous honeycomb iron titanate using a sol-gel, evaporation-induced self-assembly method is synthesized. A triblock copolymer, F127, serves as a structure-directing agents, with iron chloride and titanium (IV) isopropoxide as inorganic precursors. The strong intermolecular force of attraction among urea, metal precursors, and polymer led to the formation of the mesoporous honeycomb structure. The study of physicochemical properties using different techniques reveals the formation of microstructures with a remarkable degree of porosity. The amorphous iron titanate outperforms the photochemical generation of H₂ due to its disorderly structural arrangement and incomplete crystal formation. The randomness on the structure provides more area for catalytic reaction by providing more contact with the reactant and superior light absorption capability. The high amount of hydrogen gas, 40.66 mmolg^-1h^-1, is observed in the investigation over 3 h of activity for the iron titanate honeycomb sample. This yield is a more significant amount compared to the obtained for the commercially available TiO₂ (23.78 mmolg^-1h^-1). The iron titanate materials synthesized with low-cost materials and methods are very effective and have the potential for hydrogen generation.