Aditya Rianjanu, Quratul Aini, Rahmatika Hanif, Stevany Angelina Tambun, Dedi Triyadi, Rizky Aflaha, Nursidik Yulianto, Hadi Teguh Yudistira, Yuliati Herbani, Tarmizi Taher, Hutomo Suryo Wasisto
Developing low-cost, high-performance photocatalysts is crucial for advancing photocatalytic technologies in organic wastewater treatment. In this study, barium titanate (BaTiO3) nanoparticles were synthesized via a hydrothermal method followed by calcination at 600 °C and evaluated for their photocatalytic activity toward the degradation of cationic and anionic dyes such as methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO). The effects of hydrothermal temperature and reaction time on phase composition, crystallinity, morphology, and optical properties were systematically investigated. All synthesized samples exhibited a cubic BaTiO3 phase, with varying levels of BaCO3 impurities. Elemental analysis revealed near-stoichiometric Ba:Ti ratios at 135 °C and 150 °C, while Ba enrichment was observed at 175 °C. The optimal sample, synthesized at 150 °C for 48 h, featured a mixed morphology of nanoparticles and nanorods, a band gap of 3.02 eV, and high crystallinity, achieving degradation efficiencies of 93 % (MB) and 43 % (MO) with rate constants of 0.214 and 0.023 min–1 g–1, respectively. Scavenger experiments identified photogenerated holes (h⁺) as the dominant reactive species, with superoxide radicals (•O2–) playing a secondary role. The selectivity toward MB over MO was attributed to favorable electrostatic interactions between the catalyst surface and the cationic dye. Control experiments confirmed the photocatalytic nature of the degradation process. This work highlights the importance of controlling synthesis parameters and phase purity to enhance BaTiO3 photocatalytic performance and provides insight for designing efficient materials for environmental remediation. © 2025 Elsevier B.V.
Department of Materials Engineering, Faculty of Industrial Technology, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, Terusan Ryacudu, Way Hui, Jati Agung, Lampung Selatan, 35365, Indonesia; Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Sekip Utara, BLS 21, Yogyakarta, 55281, Indonesia; Research Center for Photonics, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Kompleks Sains dan Teknologi (KST) B. J. Habibie, Tangerang Selatan, 15314, Indonesia; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Industrial Technology, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, Terusan Ryacudu, Way Hui, Jati Agung, Lampung Selatan, 35365, Indonesia; Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Infrastructure and Regional Technology, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, Terusan Ryacudu, Way Hui, Jati Agung, Lampung Selatan, 35365, Indonesia; PT Nanosense Instrument Indonesia, Yogyakarta, 55167, Indonesia; Center for Green and Sustainable Materials, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, Terusan Ryacudu, Way Hui, Jati Agung, Lampung Selatan, 35365, Indonesia