Synergistic piezo-phototronic activation of peroxymonosulfate by 2D BaTiO3/TiO2 nanocomposite for water purification

Peroxymonosulfate (PMS), a strong oxidant with a redox potential of approximately 1.82 V, exhibits relatively low efficiency in the direct oxidation of pollutants; this has limited its further application in water pollution control. In this study, a plate-like BaTiO 3 /TiO 2 nanocomposite was successfully synthesized through hydrothermal and topochemical reactions. As an environmentally benign PMS activator, this nanocomposite effectively overcomes the limitations of single-component materials. In addition, the synergistic effect of light and ultrasound irradiation significantly enhances the efficiency of methyl orange degradation catalyzed by BaTiO 3 /TiO 2 . Systematic investigations of the influence of the BaTiO 3 /TiO 2 molar ratio show that the enhanced catalytic activity can be attributed to the formation of semiconductor heterojunctions, which not only strengthen the spontaneous polarization of ferroelectric BaTiO 3 but also facilitate the separation of photogenerated carriers and accelerate PMS activation. In summary, this study presents a novel strategy for PMS activation, providing a sustainable and efficient technological approach for wastewater treatment.