Semiconducting BaTiO3@C core-shell structure for improving piezo-photocatalytic performance

In this study, a semiconducting BaTiO3@C (BT@C) core-shell structure was successfully prepared via a one-step hydrothermal method assisted by glucose. The exposed Ti4+ on the BT surface was reduced to Ti3+ by glucose during the hydrothermal process, resulting in the formation of a mass of oxygen vacancies. Meanwhile, excess glucose was carbonized and the carbon accumulated on the BT surface to form a BT@C core-shell structure, and the thickness of the carbon shell gradually increased with increasing glucose concentration. The effect of glucose concentration on the phase compositions and morphologies of BT@C nanoparticles was investigated. The asprepared BT@C composites exhibited the higher piezo-photodegradation capability for rhodamine B compared with the raw BT duo to the combination with semiconductor property and piezoelectric effect. The method utilized in this study to fabricate semiconducting BT@C core-shell structured composite can be extended to synthesize the other piezoelectric /ferroelectric@C composites and will open up great potential in the field of piezo-photocatalysis and environmental purification.

Automated summary

The semiconducting BT@C core-shell structured composite prepared via a hydrothermal method showed higher piezo-photodegradation capability for rhodamine B compared to raw BT, due to the combination with semiconductor properties and the piezoelectric effect.