Photoelectrochemical Investigation of Hole Scavengers for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reaction on Perovskite-Type Niobate Nanosheets

Hole-scavengers are a crucial part of particulate photocatalytic systems. The use of hole-scavengers increases the photocatalytic activity by preventing electron-hole recombination. The holes are used in photo-oxidation of the hole-scavenger molecules increasing the probability of electrons involved in photoreduction of water. In this study, different hole-scavengers utilized in photocatalytic water splitting reaction were tested. The impact of different hole scavengers on photocatalytic reactions were investigated on [Ca2Nb3O10]- 2D nanosheets mechanistically. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry tests were employed to assess the impact of hole scavengers on photocatalytic efficiency. The photoelectrochemical tests agree with the results of the photocatalytic reactions. Methanol and EDTA give the largest oxidation photocurrent and the best photocatalytic activity.