Flux synthesis of Ba2Li2/3Ti16/3O13 and its photocatalytic performance

Abstract

Barium–lithium titanate (Ba₂Li_2/3Ti_16/3O₁₃) was synthesized by using a flux method under some conditions with various chloride salts as the flux, thermal treatment temperatures, solute concentrations, and cooling rates. As a result, fine particles of this material with a rod-like morphology were obtained for the first time. It is suggested that this morphology with high crystallinity is responsible for the increase in the photocatalytic activity of this material without any co-catalyst for H₂ and CO evolution from water and CO₂. The observed photocatalytic performance is discussed taking into consideration the differences in physicochemical properties, obtained as a result of the synthesis using this method under the different conditions.