Visible-light sensitive La1−xBaxCoO3 photocatalyst for malachite green degradation

In this study, a series of photocatalyst La1−xBaxCoO3 (x=0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7) powders were successfully prepared using the sol–gel method. The crystal structure and band gap of La1−xBaxCoO3 were characterized by X-ray diffraction and Ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflection spectroscopy for photocatalysis investigation. The results showed that the Ba-doped LaCoO3 exhibited obvious absorption characteristics in visible light regions. In addition, the effect of La1−xBaxCoO3 on the photocatalytic degradation of malachite green under different light sources was also investigated. Ba-doped LaCoO3 showed excellent visible-light sensitive photocatalytic activities and a maximum photocatalytic degradation of malachite green could be achieved with a degradation degree of 97% by La0.7Ba0.3CoO3 in visible light for 60 min.