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Preparation and characterization of (Ba0.85Ca0.15)(Zr0.1Ti0.9)TiO3(BCZT)/Bi2O3 composites as efficient visible-light-responsive photocatalysts

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Abstract

The heterojunction composites (Ba0.85Ca0.15)(Zr0.1Ti0.9)TiO3(BCZT)/Bi2O3 with different weight ratios (75:25, 50:50 and 25:75) were successfully synthesized by solid-state route. As-synthesized composite powders were characterized by XRD, FESEM, EDX, UV–visible and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Photocatalytic activity evaluation was carried out by the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under UV and visible light exposure. The results show that the heterojunction composites BCZT/Bi2O3 display better photocatalytic activity than pure BCZT or Bi2O3. Among all the heterojunction composites, BCZT/Bi2O3 (50:50) composite exhibits a lower recombination rate of electron–hole pair and shows the highest photocatalytic activity. The rate constant of BCZT/Bi2O3 (50:50) composite for RhB degradation is 15.4 and 2.1 times higher than those of pure BCZT and Bi2O3 under visible light irradiation, respectively. Finally, a possible mechanism for enhanced charge separation and photodegradation is proposed.

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Acknowledgements

We are thankful to the Director, NIT Rourkela, Odisha, India, for providing experimental facilities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ceramic Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, 769008, India

    S. Abhinay, P. Tarai & R. Mazumder

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  1. S. Abhinay
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  2. P. Tarai
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  3. R. Mazumder
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Correspondence to R. Mazumder.

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Abhinay, S., Tarai, P. & Mazumder, R. Preparation and characterization of (Ba0.85Ca0.15)(Zr0.1Ti0.9)TiO3(BCZT)/Bi2O3 composites as efficient visible-light-responsive photocatalysts. J Mater Sci 55, 1904–1914 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-019-04175-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-019-04175-3

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