STUDY OF PEROVSKITE OXIDE BASED HETEROJUNCTION SYSTEMS AND THEIR INTERACTION WITH NATURALLY OCCURRING DYE MOLECULES

Abstract

In this study, addressing the escalating global energy demand stands as one of the paramount challenges of our time. The widespread use of non-renewable fossil fuels has led to severe environmental pollution, while rapid industrialization has exacerbated water contamination, rendering many conventional solutions ineffective, costly, or time-consuming. In recent years, there has been a surge of interest in heterojunction photocatalysts as an environmentally friendly solution to convert organic pollutants into harmless compounds under sunlight exposure. Heterojunction photocatalysts are prized for their unique properties, offering a simple and cost- effective means of wastewater purification, particularly for dye removal. Our research involved synthesizing parent compounds such as BaTiO3, Bi12TiO20, and BaBiO3, each with distinct band gaps confirmed through P-XRD analysis. Heterojunction systems, including BaTiO3/Bi12TiO20 and BaTiO3/Bi12TiO20 with varying stoichiometry and BaTiO3 / BaBiO3, were investigated, resulting in either extended absorption or a reduced band gap as compared to their parent compounds. Zeta potential measurements provided insights into surface charge, revealing a notable positive potential shift for BaTiO3 at lower pH levels. Leveraging this understanding, we explored heterojunctions between Malabar spinach fruit dye, rich in anthocyanin pigment, and adsorbed dye on the compound at different pH levels to study their interactions. UV-Vis DRS analysis was employed to determine band gaps, offering valuable insights into the potential photocatalytic activity of the synthesized compounds.