Ag nanoparticles loadedBa0.85Ca0.15Ti0.9Zr0.1O3for multicatalytic dye degradation

Ba0.85Ca0.15Ti0.9Zr0.1O3(BCZTO) ferroelectric ceramic loaded with Ag nanoparticles (NPs) was explored for their photo/piezocatalytic performance. The presence of Ag loading on BCZTO ceramic was confirmed using the electron microscopes. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed the metallic chemical state of Ag NPs loaded on the surface of BCZTO ceramic. The absorbance spectrum of the Ag loaded BCZTO sample showed visible light absorption hump due to the phenomenon of surface plasmonic resonance (SPR). During the photocatalysis process, the ~99% of rhodamine B (RB) dye was degraded in aqueous solution using Ag loaded BCZTO sample showing its promising photocatalysis activity. During piezocatalysis process, the ~95% of RB dye was degraded using Ag loaded BCZTO sample showing its promising piezocatalytic activity. The •OH radical species were found responsible behind the photocatalytic and piezocatalytic performance. The photo/piezocatalytic performance was found to be consistent over five cycles indicating promising reusability of Ag loaded BCZTO sample.