Cubic-perovskite (SrTiO₃) has a great potential to be utilized in a wide range of applications. However, currently very little is known about the shape and facet effects of SrTiO₃ on their physicochemical properties. This is largely owing to the difficulties in controlling the morphology of facets during synthesis. Herein, we describe a facile route for the facet- and size-controlled fabrication of singlecrystalline SrTiO₃ triangular prisms with highly exposed {101} side faces and {111} end faces. Theoretical and experimental studies of their photocatalytic performance have shown that triangular prisms exhibit superior photocatalytic activities than nanocubes with exposed (001) faces for the degradation of organic contaminants, which may be primarily attributed to the much higher surface energy of {101} facets (2.97 J/m²) and {111} facets (2.80 J/m²) than of that of {001} facets (0.98 J/m²).

Yolk–shell architectures have attracted extensive attention owing to their unique structure and infusive applications. MoS₂ is regarded as one of the most promising catalytic materials for hydrogen evolution by the splitting of water. In this work, a simple self-template solvothermal approach is developed for the synthesis of novel MoS₂ yolk–shell microspheres with a hierarchical porous structure by reacting MoO₂ microspheres with L-cysteine. A dissolutionrecrystallization formation mechanism is proposed for the MoS₂ yolk–shell microspheres. Owing to structural superiority, the new material architecture exhibits improved photoelectrochemical properties, including efficient hydrogen evolution reaction catalytic activities, a high photocurrent density, a small overpotential, and a low charge-transfer resistance.