Structure, morphology and electrochemical properties of SrTiO3 perovskite: Photocatalytic and supercapacitor applications

Abstract

In order to explore an alternative photocatalyst for environmental remediation, we report the sol-gel process for the synthesis of strontium titanate (SrTiO3) nanoparticles (STNPs). The as-synthesized STNPs were found to poses cubic perovskite-type crystal structure with an average crystallite size of 22 nm were well-characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The agglomerated and cubic like morphologies were identified by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The elemental analysis by energy dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy (EDAX) confirmed the composition of STNPs. The synthesized nanoparticles were further characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. STNPs displayed good photocatalytic degradation activity for malachite green (MG) and rhodamine blue (Rh–B) dye pollutants under UV light irradiation in the time duration of 120 min. Furthermore, cyclic voltammetric studies revealed that the STNP electrode, because of its increased surface area, produced maximal specific capacitance of 208.47 Fg−1 at 1 mA/cm2 with a high cycle stability of 1500 cycles. The superior supercapacitance behaviour of SrTiO3 electrode materials strengthens its stance to be developed as a highly promising material for energy related applications. In addition, STNPs can serve as better materials for the environmental remediation of pollutant dyes.

Keywords

• SrTiO3 NPs
• Sol-gel
• Photocatalyst
• Cyclic voltammetry
• Supercapacitance