Investigation of photo(electro)catalytic efficiency of BaTi1-xSnx, ZnO and ZnO@BaTi1-xSnx (x = 0, 0.05, 0.10) powders

Abstract

The aim of this research was to improve photo(electro)catalytic properties of BaTi1-xSnx (BTS, x = 0, 0.05, 0.10) powders. For that purpose we employed ZnO to prepare ZnO@BTS composite. In situ microwave processing of a ZnO precipitate on previously synthesized BTS particles was used to produce ZnO@BTS composites. The phase composition and crystal structure of BTS, ZnO and ZnO@BTS were examined by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The powders particles morphology was investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The optical properties were studied using UV-Vis diffuse reflectance (DRS) and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). Linear voltammetry was used to examine the photoelectrochemical properties of the materials. Photocatalytic properties were tested based on the decolorization of methylene blue (MB) dye in the presence of powder particles, under the influence of simulated sunlight radiation. BTS powders have good electron transfer properties, which has been shown in their function as electrocatalysts, where they have shown better properties than ZnO and ZnO@BTS composites. In contrast, they showed poor photocatalytic efficacy. The precipitation of ZnO particles on BTS, by the method of microwave processing, significantly improves the photocatalytic efficiency of the formed composites, concerning the starting BTS powders. Among the composites, ZnO@BT composite proved to be the most effective photocatalyst.