Cooperating countries: Sri Lanka, Austria

Coordinating institution: Montanuniversität Leoben

Project coordinator: Univ. Prof. Dr. Christoph Rameshan

Partner institution: University of Colombo

Project duration: 01.09.2026-31.08.2028

Budget: 39.080,00 €

Barium titanate (BaTiO3), a dielectric and ferroelectric semiconductor with a perovskite structure, has emerged as a promising photocatalyst for environmental applications due to its chemical stability, non-toxicity, and cost-effectiveness. However, its large band gap (3.2 eV) limits its activity to UV light, reducing its overall photocatalytic efficiency. This joint project proposes to investigate the potential of doped BaTiO3 photocatalysts for wastewater treatment, focusing on enhancing their visible light absorption and charge carrier separation efficiency. Various doping strategies with precious and non-precious metals (e.g., Ag, Mn or Fe) dopants, will be explored to modify the electronic band structure and reduce the recombination rate of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. Studies in literature have demonstrated that doping BaTiO3 with heteroatoms can significantly improves its photocatalytic performance under visible light irradiation. Additionally, a novel synthesis technique which produces nanostructured oxides with high surface areas (by flame spray pyrolysis) will be utilized to further improve the reactivity. Advanced characterization techniques, including in-situ XPS, will be employed to understand the mechanisms driving enhanced photocatalytic activity. The ultimate goal is to develop cost effective, scalable doped BaTiO3-based photocatalysts capable of degrading complex organic pollutants in wastewater systems. This research aims to contribute to sustainable water treatment technologies, addressing global challenges in environmental remediation and resource management. Both project partners (Montanuniversität Leoben, Austria and University of Colombo, Sri Lanka) bring in complementary expertise to the proposed project. With the planned mobility of researchers and the knowledge exchange the joint research efforts will successfully lead to efficient photocatalysts for wastewater treatment.