Ag-nanoparticles-loaded Ba_0.85Ca_0.15Ti_0.9Zr_0.1O₃ for multicatalytic dye degradation

Ba_0.85Ca_0.15Ti_0.9Zr_0.1O₃ (BCZTO) ferroelectric ceramic loaded with Ag nanoparticles (NPs) was explored for its photo/piezocatalytic performance. The presence of Ag loading on BCZTO ceramic was confirmed using 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 a visible light absorption hump due to the phenomenon of surface plasmonic resonance. During the photocatalysis process, the [Formula: see text]99% of rhodamine B (RB) dye was degraded in aqueous solution using the Ag-loaded BCZTO sample, showing its promising photocatalysis activity. During the piezocatalysis process, the [Formula: see text]95% of RB dye was degraded using the Ag-loaded BCZTO sample, showing its promising piezocatalytic activity. The ·OH radical species were found responsible for the photocatalytic and piezocatalytic performance. The photo/piezocatalytic performance was found to be consistent over five cycles, indicating promising reusability of the Ag-loaded BCZTO sample.