Application of perovskite-structured lithium titanate towards remediation of environmental pollutants

The advancement of new materials for water treatment and environmental remediation is becoming increasingly vital in the face of growing global issues like water scarcity, pollution, and ecosystem degradation. Cutting-edge nanomaterials offer notable enhancements in efficiency, selectivity, and sustainability compared to traditional techniques. These advanced materials can effectively remove a broad spectrum of contaminants, including heavy metals, organic pollutants, and pathogens, from water sources. Additionally, they facilitate the creation of more sustainable and cost-efficient treatment processes, which are crucial for safeguarding public health and maintaining environmental quality. Ongoing developments in material science not only improve the performance of current water treatment technologies but also foster the development of new methods that can tackle emerging contaminants and adjust to various environmental conditions. This highlights the essential role of material innovation in progressing water treatment and environmental remediation technologies, emphasizing its significance in providing safe, clean water and promoting a healthier environment. For the first time, in this report we report that Sm and Ba doped Li4Ti5O12 NPs for treating industrial wastewater to remove organic contaminants. The lithium titanate doped with Sr and Ba was synthesized using coprecipitation methods. The photocatalytic degradation activity of Sr/Ba/ Li4Ti5O12 was significantly increased in comparison to pure Li4Ti5O12, attaining 98.5 % methylene blue degradation in 100 min under visible light. By coprecipitation and calcination, highly crystalline bare and doped Li4Ti5O12 NPs were effectively synthesized using lithium nitrate, titanium tetra isopropoxide, and KOH as precursors. By introducing Sr- and Ba-ion impurities to the lattice, Li4Ti5O12's electronic band structure was altered and its absorption into the visible region was increased.