Facile fabrication of plasmonic Ag modified CaTiO3: For boosting photocatalytic reduction of Cr6+ and antimicrobial study

Abstract

CaTiO3 was synthesized by a simple sol–gel method followed by the decoration of different weight percentages of Ag on the surface of the CaTiO3 wetness impregnation method (AgCTO). Characterization of the prepared catalyst (XRD, FTIR, SEM, HRTEM, UV–VIS DRS, PL) showed a better result for morphological, optical, and also towards its activity in wastewater remediation. X-ray diffraction study delineates CaTiO3 perovskite possesses an orthorhombically distorted structure and after the distribution of Ag on the surface of CaTiO3 maintains crystallinity. The loading of Ag reduces the difference in band gap from 2.8 to 2.10 eV and extends the photocatalyst towards the visible range. This is mostly caused by the localized surface plasmon resonance effect (LSPR). The Schottky junction formed at the CaTiO3 and Ag contact effectively facilitates electron transport. This results in a reduction in the photocatalytic activity's recombination of photoinduced electrons and holes. Presence of Silver also showed good antimicrobial activity against gram-negative bacteria Salmonella typhi and Shigella flexneri because it easily makes holes in the bacterial membrane. However, the catalyst is environmentally benign and can be reutilized for environmental sustainability.