Selective deposition of redox co-catalyst(s) to improve the photocatalytic activity of single-domain ferroelectric PbTiO₃ nanoplates.

With the assistance of a ferroelectric field in PbTiO3 nanoplates, noble metals and metal oxides can be selectively deposited on the positively and negatively charged {001} facets of the nanoplates. Compared to PbTiO3 with randomly deposited reducing co-catalyst Pt particles, photocatalytic H2 evolution on PbTiO3 with Pt particles selectively deposited on the positively charged {001} facet is an order of magnitude better.