Photocatalytic properties of BiFeO3 particles synthesized by ultrasound sol-gel assisted route

Abstract

BiFeO3 precursor powder was synthesized by ultrasound asissted sol– gel route at relatively low temperature, starting from Bi-nitrate, Fe-nitrate, and ethylene glycol. Structural, optical, and photocatalytic properties of obtained powder were investigated. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed that thermal treatment of precursor powder at 500 °C, led to formation of pure phase BiFeO3. The determined band gap was 2.20 eV, indicating its potential application as visible-light-response photocatalyst. The photocatalytic behaviour of BiFeO3 powder was estimated by the degradation of Reactive Orange 16 (RO16), typical azo dye. Photocatalytic activities under different pH values were further studied. The result shows that the BiFeO3 particles exhibit the highest photocatalytic activity in the solution with the lowest pH value.