Visible-Light-Driven AO7 Photocatalytic Degradation and Toxicity Removal at Bi-Doped SrTiO<sub>3</sub>

oleh: Maria João Nunes, Ana Lopes, Maria José Pacheco, Lurdes Ciríaco

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2022-03-01

Deskripsi

In this study, Bi-doped SrTiO<sub>3</sub> perovskites (Sr<sub>1−x</sub>Bi<sub>x</sub>TiO<sub>3</sub>, x = 0, 0.03, 0.05, 0.07 and 0.1) were synthesized using the solid-state method, characterized, and tested as photocatalysts in the degradation of the azo dye acid orange 7 (AO7) under visible light. The perovskites were successfully synthesized, and XRD data showed a predominant, well-crystallized phase, belonging to the cubic perovskite symmetry. For the doped samples, a minority phase, identified as bismuth titanate, was detected. All doped samples exhibited improved photocatalytic activity under visible light, on the degradation of AO7 (10 mg L<sup>−1</sup>), when compared with the undoped SrTiO<sub>3</sub>, with an increase in relative Abs<sub>484 nm</sub> decay from 3.7% to ≥67.8% after 1 h, for a powder suspension of 0.2 g L<sup>−1</sup>. The best photocatalytic activity was exhibited by the Sr<sub>0.95</sub>Bi<sub>0.05</sub>TiO<sub>3</sub> perovskite. Reusability studies showed no significant loss in photocatalytic activity under visible light. The final solutions showed no toxicity towards <i>D. magna</i>, proving the efficiency of Sr<sub>0.95</sub>Bi<sub>0.05</sub>TiO<sub>3</sub> as a visible-light-driven photocatalyst to degrade both the AO7 dye as well as its toxic by-products. A degradation mechanism is proposed.