Activities of Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3@C core-shell composites in piezo-photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline antibiotic

The Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 and Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3@C core-shell catalysts were synthesized successfully using the solvothermal method. A few of Ti4+ was reduced to Ti3+ with the help of glucose in the solvothermal process, which results in the formation of oxygen vacancies in the NBT@C catalysts. Meanwhile, the excessive glucose was carbonized, which accumulated on the surface of Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 and formed Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3@C core-shell composites. The phase, microstructure, optical and piezoelectric properties, as well as the catalytic activities of the synthesized catalysts were characterized. The Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3@C core-shell composites show higher photocatalytic activity that of pure Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 on account of more visible light absorbance. And the piezophotocatalytic activities to tetracycline of the synthesized catalysts are highest due to the synergetic effects of photocatalysis and piezocatalysis.