Photocatalytic activity of Bi0.8La0.2FeO3−xK0.5Na0.5NbO3 ceramic powders

• Published in: Bulletin of materials science Vol. 46; no. 1; p. 33
• Main Authors: Sebastián, Elvira-Giraldo, Sonia, Gaona J, Raigoza, C F V
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bangalore Indian Academy of Sciences 16-02-2023; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adsorption; Catalytic activity; Ceramic powders; Chemistry and Materials Science; Degradation; Engineering; Materials Science; Phase transitions; Photocatalysis; Photodegradation; Raman spectroscopy; Rhodamine 6G; Spectrum analysis; X ray powder diffraction; visible-light irradiation; rhodamine 6G; Combustion; photocatalysis
• ISSN: 0973-7669; 0250-4707; 0973-7669
• DOI: 10.1007/s12034-022-02872-5

(1−
x
)Bi
0.8
La
0.2
FeO
3−
x
K
0.5
Na
0.5
NbO
3
) (
x
= 0.00; 0.05; 0.10, 1.00) or ‘BLFO-KNN’ was prepared by the combustion method, using KNO
3
, NaNO
3
, NH
4
NbO(C
2
O
4
)
2
(H
2
O)
2
, Bi(NO
3
)⋅5H
2
O, La(CH
3
COO)
3
and 5Fe(NO
3
)
3
⋅9H
2
O as starting materials. The microstructural features of the synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Rietveld refinement showed coexistence of orthorhombic-monoclinic phases for the powders obtained with
x
= 0.05 and 0.10. The photocatalytic activity of the BLFO-KNN, at different pH values, was investigated via degradation of rhodamine 6G (Rh6G) dye in a photoreactor equipped with commercial lamps that simulated sunlight. The results showed that BLFO can absorb visible light, whereas KNN absorbs in the ultraviolet range. There is a strong effect of the pH on the photocatalytic activity, with the highest activity for the Bi
0.8
La
0.2
FeO
3
system at pH = 2 (~90% degradation efficiency for
x
= 0.0).