Synthesis of CoTiO 3 nanoparticles with enhanced photocatalytic degradation

Abstract

The mesoporous CoTiO3 nanoparticles, which have been successfully prepared by a fast, simple and low-cost hydrothermal method, show good decolourisation and degradation of methylene blue (MB). The synthesised samples can be recovered easily from solution by a magnetic mass. Surface morphology, structure, composition, and optical characteristics of the prepared CoTiO3 were determined using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and ultraviolet-visible absorption measurements. The degradation percentage of MB was nearly 95% at an initial concentration of 10 ppm in 90 min. Such enhanced photocatalytic activities of synthesised CoTiO3 were attributed to a large specific surface area (54.22 m(2) g(-1)) and defects density, which was useful for restraining surface recombination of photo-generated charge carriers. The recovery of CoTiO3 nanoparticles was about 85% and the degradation rate of MB remained 80% after five cycles. As a whole, the CoTiO3 nanocomposites give a synergistic effect in photocatalytic and magnetic behaviour and indicate that the synthesised samples have a promising potential particularly for water purification and environmental remediation.