Lead titanate-modified perovskite with silver and cobalt as a superior photocatalyst toward the conversion of methylene blue

Abstract

Lead titanate perovskite (PbTiO₃) and Ag–Co co-doped PbTiO₃ (Ag–Co-PTO) nanoparticles were obtained by a hydrothermal procedure. The prepared samples were characterized by physicochemical techniques, and the phase, morphology, elemental composition, and optical properties were analyzed. To investigate the impact of the as-prepared photocatalyst on dye conversion, several parameters, like pH conditions in the presence of the different amounts of catalyst and oxidant at various temperatures, were optimized. At pH = 5, the Ag–Co-PTO photocatalyst converted 88% of methylene blue (MB) within 40 min under a visible lamp. The superior photo-performance of Ag–Co-PTO is due to the powerful electronic interaction among Ag, Co, and perovskite, which promotes the transfer and separation of charges. Besides, the predicted photocatalytic mechanism of Ag–Co-PTO and its stability tests are considered. Typically, Ag–Co-PTO highlights a promising opportunity for the conversion of pollutants.