Photocatalytic properties of lead-free Ba _0.95 Ca _0.05 Ti _0.92 Sn _0.08 O ₃ (BCTS) powders synthesized via the solid-state reaction technique for tetracycline decolorization

Ba0.95Ca0.05Ti0.92Sn0.08O3 (BCTS) powders were synthesized through the solid-state reaction technique and calcined at temperatures ranging from 950 °C to 1150 °C to examine the influence of calcination temperature on the photocatalytic efficacy in degrading tetracycline (TC). Structural studies showed the formation of secondary phases for the calcination temperatures between 950 °C and 1100 °C and the for-mation of a pure phase when calcined at 1150 °C. The sample calcined at 1000 °C exhibited the highest TC decolorization efficiency (87.37%) and rate constant (18.3∙10–3 min–¹), which can be attributed to optimal secondary phases, crystallinity, surface characteristics, and reduced electron–hole recombination. Scavenger tests identified hole (h+) and superoxide radical (•O2-) as the primary active species. The findings indicate that BCTS exhibits significant potential as an efficient photocatalyst for wastewater treatment.