Facile one-pot solvothermal approach to produce inorganic hybrid TiO₂@CoTiO₃ green nano-pigment: structural, optical and photocatalytic properties

ABSTARCT

Herein, we report the synthesis of TiO₂@CoTiO₃ green nano-pigment by means of simple one-pot solvothermal process. The adapted solvothermal protocol involves the use of (Cobalt(II) nitrate, Titanium(IV) butoxide) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as metals precursors and solvent respectively. A thermal treatment is necessary to produce high crystalline structure. The ideal calcination temperature was established to 600 °C in which the hybrid nanocomposite was completely crystalized. The obtained powder is green, characteristic color of cobalt titanate (CoTiO₃) pigment. This structure was further confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) technique. On the other hand, the morphology of the designed material was observed via Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The prepared TiO₂@CoTiO₃ shows interesting optical properties in both UV and visible domains, which make it a promising photocatalyst under solar energy. The preliminary photocatalytic test against Methylene Blue (MB) prove high efficiency of the hybrid TiO₂@CoTiO₃ compared to pristine TiO₂ probably due to the extension of the absorption region from UV (pristine TiO₂) to UV/Visible region (hybrid material).

Keywords:

• Solvothermal process
• anatase
• rutile
• cobalt titanate
• perovskite
• hybrid material
• photocatalyst

Acknowledgments

Taif University Researchers Supporting Project number (TURSP-2020/28), Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia.