Original polyol process for the synthesis of TiO₂@TiZn₂O₄@ZnTiO₃ ternary hybrid nanocomposite: microstructure, optical properties, and enhanced photocatalytic activity

A novel TiO₂@TiZn₂O₄@ZnTiO₃ ternary hybrid nanocomposite was synthesized via an original polyol-mediated process and thoroughly characterized in terms of crystal structure, morphology, and optical properties. Structural analyses revealed a well-integrated multiphase system combining anatase TiO₂ with spinel TiZn₂O₄ and perovskite ZnTiO₃ phases. The photocatalytic performance of the nanocomposite was evaluated through the degradation of four organic pollutants methylene blue (MB), rhodamine B (R_hB), diuron (D), and orange II under UV irradiation. Compared to pure TiO₂, the hybrid nanocomposite exhibited significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity, with MB degradation reaching 80% (k_ap = 0.0124 min^− 1) versus only 42% (k_ap = 0.0032 min^− 1) for TiO₂. Radical scavenger experiments indicated that hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and superoxide anions (•O₂⁻) are the dominant active species involved in the degradation process. This improved performance is attributed to the synergistic effect between the constituent phases, promoting efficient charge separation and reactive species generation. These findings highlight the potential of TiO₂@TiZn₂O₄@ZnTiO₃ as a promising photocatalyst for environmental remediation applications.