Investigation of BaZrO3 Nanoparticles for Photocatalytic Activity and the Effects of Y-doping

A straightforward co-precipitation technique with yttrium doping (X = 0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06) was used to fabricate perovskite Ba1-xYxZrO3 nanoparticles. Employing Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) technique, the compound was characterized and found to have a perovskite structure crystallized in a cubic lattice. Images from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) show plenty of pores between the grains and a structure resembling a rod. The purity and formation of B-site in the nanostructure was confirmed by a Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectrophotometer. The UV-Vis profile and photoluminescence (PL) spectra of the powder were also ascertained. Using methylene blue as a model organic pollutant, the powder as a photocatalyst was tested for two hours under UV light irradiation. The Y-doped nanoparticles broke down the dye by approximately 98.5% at pH = 8 when exposed to UV light. The enhanced photocatalytic performance exhibited by Y-doped BaZrO3 nanoparticles can be attributed to their efficient charge separation and increased adsorption capabilities by the presence of BaZrO3.