BaTiO3/ZnO heterostructured photocatalyst with improved efficiency in dye degradation

BaTiO3/ZnO (BTZ) heterostructure was fabricated by the hydrothermal method in which BaTiO3 nanoparticles were anchored on hexagonal rod-shaped ZnO. Structural and morphological properties of the prepared heterostructure were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), etc. The present study confirmed that BaTiO3 and ZnO coexist in the heterostructure. To explore BTZ heterostructure as a photocatalyst, photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) dye was carried out under UV irradiation. Compared with BaTiO3, BTZ heterostructure has exhibited improved photocatalytic activity and it is ascribed to the effective charge carrier separation due to the formation of heterojunction between BaTiO3 and ZnO. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy is used to evaluate charge transfer properties of the heterostructure and the results support an efficient separation of charge carriers and enhanced photocatalytic activity. The study demonstrates that BTZ heterostructure act as a promising candidate in the field of water purification.