Visible-Light-Driven AO7 Photocatalytic Degradation and Toxicity Removal at Bi-Doped SrTiO3

In this study, Bi-doped SrTiO3 perovskites (Sr1-xBixTiO3, x = 0, 0.03, 0.05, 0.07 and 0.1) were synthesized using the solid-state method, characterized, and tested as photocatalysts in the degradation of the azo dye acid orange 7 (AO7) under visible light. The perovskites were successfully synthesized, and XRD data showed a predominant, well-crystallized phase, belonging to the cubic perovskite symmetry. For the doped samples, a minority phase, identified as bismuth titanate, was detected. All doped samples exhibited improved photocatalytic activity under visible light, on the degradation of AO7 (10 mg L-1), when compared with the undoped SrTiO3, with an increase in relative Abs(484 nm) decay from 3.7% to >= 67.8% after 1 h, for a powder suspension of 0.2 g L-1. The best photocatalytic activity was exhibited by the Sr0.95Bi0.05TiO3 perovskite. Reusability studies showed no significant loss in photocatalytic activity under visible light. The final solutions showed no toxicity towards D. magna, proving the efficiency of Sr0.95Bi0.05TiO3 as a visible-light-driven photocatalyst to degrade both the AO7 dye as well as its toxic by-products. A degradation mechanism is proposed.

Automated summary

In this study, Bi-doped SrTiO3 perovskites were synthesized and tested as visible-light-driven photocatalysts for the degradation of the azo dye AO7. The doped samples showed improved photocatalytic activity, with the best performance observed in Sr0.95Bi0.05TiO3. The photocatalysts demonstrated reusability and showed no toxicity towards D. magna.