Abstract
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•Au/LaTiO3 nanoparticles were used for photocatalytic reduction of nitrobenzene.•Photocatalytic reduction of nitrobenzene was dependent on wt.% of Au.•Catalyst re-use revealed the present photocatalyst remain effective and active after five cycles.
An ultrasonic method was used to prepare LaTiO3 nanoparticles and a photo-assisted deposition method was used to loading gold into surface of LaTiO3. The samples obtained were characterized using a photoluminescence emission spectra, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, ultraviolet and visible light spectroscopy, surface area measurements and X-ray diffraction. In addition, photocatalytic activity of LaTiO3 and Au/LaTiO3 samples has been tested under visible light irradiation for reduction of nitrobenzene into aniline. XPS results reveal that gold was present as metallic gold by the presence of two peaks at 87.7eV and 84.0eV. The UV–Vis results reveal that loading of Au into LaTiO3 surfaces lead to a red shift. The maximum photocatalytic reduction efficiency (100%) was obtained using 0.3wt.% Au/LaTiO3 nanocomposites after 90min a reaction time. The Au/LaTiO3 nanocomposites can be recycled for the first five cycles without loss of photocatalytic activity.