Oxalic acid functionalization of BaTiO3 nanobelts for promoting their piezo-degradation organic contaminants

Surface functionalization of piezoelectric greatly determines its piezo-catalytic activity and selectivity in that functional group affect specific reactants' surface adsorption and activation abilities. Herein, we propose chemical functionalization on the surface of nano-scaled BaTiO3 piezoelectric via a one-pot hydrothermal process using polyethylene glycol as surfactant, and evaluate its piezo-catalytic activity and selectivity by degrading model antibiotic and dye reactants under ultrasonic vibrations. Acetate or/and oxalic unidentate ligands on the surface of BaTiO3 nanobelts can be formed by controlling precursor and hydrothermal parameters. Particularly, oxalic acid functionalized BaTiO3 nanobelts presented a high piezo-catalytic rate constant of 0.068 min(-1) for Rhodamine B solution and maintained >87% degradation efficiency within 30 min under the condition of ultrasonic bath with 40 kHz and 100 W, which was mainly ascribed to piezo-sensitization effect. This work provides references for the preparation of chemical functionalized catalysts and also contributes to the development of novel catalysts for special applications. (C) 2021 The Chinese Ceramic Society. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.

Automated summary

In this study, chemical functionalization was performed on nano-scaled BaTiO3 piezoelectric materials, and oxalic acid functionalized BaTiO3 nanobelts exhibited high piezo-catalytic rate and degradation efficiency under ultrasonic vibrations. This work provides insights for the development of novel catalysts for special applications.