Hydrothermal derived nitrogen doped SrTiO(3) for efficient visible light driven photocatalytic reduction of chromium(VI)

In this work, we report on the synthesis of nitrogen doped SrTiO(3) nanoparticles with efficient visible light driven photocatalytic activity toward Cr(VI) by the solvothermal method. The samples are carefully characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and photocatalytic test. It is found that nitrogen doping in SrTiO(3) lattice led to an apparent lattice expansion, particle size reduction as well as subsequent increase of Brunner–Emmet–Teller surface area. The visible light absorption edge and intensity can be modulated by nitrogen doping content, which absorption edge extends to about 600 nm. Moreover, nitrogen doping can not only modulate the visible light absorption feature, but also have consequence on the enhancement of charge separation efficiency, which can promote the photocatalytic activity. With well controlled particle size, Brunner–Emmet–Teller surface area, and electronic structure via nitrogen doping, the photocatalytic performance toward Cr(VI) reduction of nitrogen doped SrTiO(3) was optimized at initial hexamethylenetetramine content of 2. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40064-016-2804-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.