Significantly optimized piezoelectric catalytic properties of surface functionalized Nano-BaTiO3.

In piezoelectric catalysis, the interaction between reaction molecules and the catalyst surface is of great significance for designing highly selective reaction processes. In this study, chemically functionalized BaTiO 3 nanoparticles were fabricated using the hydrothermal method, and the piezoelectric catalytic activity was evaluated for degradation dye reactants by ultrasonic vibration. Due to surface modification of BaTiO 3 nanoparticles, the carboxyl groups will be applied on the surface of BaTiO 3 nanoparticles, resulting in the reduction in particle size and an increase in specific surface area. The adsorption of the carboxyl groups on the surface can also improve the ability of the BaTiO 3 nanoparticles to capture the organic dyes. A high piezoelectric catalytic reaction rate constant of 0.0716 min−1, together with a degradation efficiency of >90 % was achieved within 30 min under 60 kHz and 100 W ultrasonic conditions. These results show that the surface modification of BaTiO 3 nanoparticles brought excellent performance of piezoelectric catalysis by controlling the precursor and hydrothermal parameters. This study provides a new method for the preparation of chemically functionalized piezoelectric catalysts and design of other new highly selective catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]