Accurate investigation to determine the best conditions for using NiTiO3 for bromophenol blue degradation in the environment under UV–vis light based on concentration reduction and to compare it with TiO2

In this study, bromophenol blue was degraded by NiTiO3 nanoparticles under UV and Visible light irradiation. Due to the toxicity and harmful effects of the bromophenol blue compound in ground and surface water, its photocatalytic decomposition is of utmost importance. NiTiO3 photocatalyst was synthesized by thermal decomposition of titanium tetra butoxide using Ni(NO3)2·6H2O and was used for degradation under UV–vis irradiation. The obtained photocatalyst was characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and N2 absorption–desorption. BET analysis was performed to calculate the specific surface area, pore diameter, pore volume and percentage of mesopores of NiTiO3. The effects of parameters such as pH, catalyst dosages, and concentrations of bromophenol blue were examined. The results were compared with Degussa P25, a commercial TiO2 powder, which is commonly used in photocatalytic reactions. Additionally, degradation by TiO2 and NiTiO3 under UV and Visible light was tested; NiTiO3 under both UV and visible light showed higher degradation than TiO2 in the same conditions. The results show that NiTiO3 is able to reduce the concentration of bromophenol blue by 91.1% under visible light in an acidic environment. © 2017 Elsevier B.V.