Enhanced visible light photocatalytic performance of Sr_0.3(Ba,Mn)_0.7ZrO₃ perovskites anchored on graphene oxide

In search of better materials for visible light photocatalytic performance, perovskite Sr_0.3(Ba/Mn)_0.7ZrO₃ nanopowders anchored on graphene oxide were synthesized for the evaluation of their photocatalytic activity against methylene blue (MB). The chemical coprecipitation method was used to synthesize SrZrO₃ (SZO) and a series of doped derivatives having a nominal composition of Sr_1-x(Ba,Mn)_xZrO₃ (x = 0.1–0.9) at an annealing temperature of 700 °C for 12 h. However, Sr_0.3(Ba,Mn)_0.7ZrO₃ with a bandgap value of 3.50 eV was further processed for the formation of composite with graphene oxide (GO) owing to its lowest bandgap value in the synthesized series. The inclusion of larger Ba²⁺ cations in the lattice resulted in the redistribution of cations creating antisite defects which were evident from the shrinkage of the lattice. The incorporation of Mn²⁺ resulted in the hybridization of Mn²⁺ (3d) orbitals with the split Zr⁴⁺ (4d) orbitals. This reduced the bandgap and composite formation with GO further enhancing the delocalization of excited electrons to GO hence, reducing electron-hole recombination. Adsorption assisted photocatalysis under a 100 W tungsten lamp was performed using the designed catalysts for the removal/degradation of MB. The π-π conjugation and the ionic interactions were found responsible for the adsorption of MB at the GO surface. High surface coverage, initial dye concentrations, heterogeneous catalyst surface, weak van der Waals interactions, pH and availability of •OH radicals were found to be the decisive factors for the removal/degradation process. Improved charge separation enhances the generation of •OH and better performance of the GO composites as opposed to the pristine strontium zirconate perovskites.