Strongly enhanced piezoelectric-catalysis of ZnSnO3/graphite hybrid materials for dye wastewater decomposition

Abstract

In this study, the strongly-enhanced piezoelectric catalytic performance for dye decomposition was exhibited by sol-gel-synthesized ZnSnO3 with the addition of a certain proportion of graphite. With increasing graphite content from 0 to 5%, decomposition ratio of RhB dyes first increases and then decreases, reaching maximum value of ∼100% for the ZnSnO3 with 3% graphite addition. Reaction rate constant reached a maximum of ∼0.098 min−1 at 3% graphite content, while that of the pristine ZnSnO3 is only ∼0.02 min−1. Graphite particles can transfer piezoelectrically-negative charges, which helps to reduce the recombination of charges, thereby improving piezoelectric catalytic performance. Strong piezoelectric catalytic activity makes novel ZnSnO3/graphite hybrid materials potential for dye decomposition from wastewater.