Doped rare and transition metal perovskite-type titanate nanoparticles: A new method for developing synthesizing and photocatalytic ability

Recently, in connection with the increasing environmental pollution, several studies have been carried out to investigate a new group of compounds. In the current study, an attempt has been made to synthesize the perovskite-type titanate MxTiyOz (M = transition and rare earth metals) through a novel approach. They were synthesized by controlling the thermal decomposition of the organometallic complex of pyrocatechol complex - titanium (IV) and other metals - to save more time and temperature. The obtained perovskite-type titanate nanoparticles in this experiment were HoTi2.04O5.04, MnTi1.99O5.24, CrTi2.05O5.12, CdTi1.96O4.83, EuTi2.03O5.07, FeTi1.92O4.92, ErTi2.25O4.96, CoTi1.188O4.81, DyTi1.98O5.29, NiTi2.03O5.96, and CuTi1.94O5.08. The pure nanoparticles were obtained when the complex was heat-treated at 550 °C for 210 min. Characterization of complexes was carried out by the analytical techniques (XRD, FTIR, UV–Vis, BET Surface, Elemental analysis, and FESEM) for both complexes and nanoparticles. To evaluate the photocatalytic properties of the MxTiyOz nanoparticles, pyrocatechol as a toxic chemical compound was degraded by obtained nanoparticles as catalysts under irradiation of visible light. © 2018