Photocatalytic properties of composites based on Y1-xBixFeO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.15) nano-crystalline solid solutions with a hexagonal structure

Nanopowders of Y1-xBixFeO3 (x = 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15) solid solutions were obtained by co precipitation of hydroxides with simultaneous sonication and subsequent thermal treatment of the precipitate in air at 800 degrees C for 1 min. in the annealing-quenching mode. The results of X-ray phase analysis showed the formation of nanocrystalline solid solutions with a structure of hexagonal yttrium orthoferrite. The average crystallite size increases from 4 to 10 nm with the increasing bismuth content in the solid solution. The influence of Y3+ substitution for Bi3+ in yttrium orthoferrite on the photocatalytic activity of Y1-xBixFeO3 nanopowders during the Fenton-like degradation of methyl violet under the visible light irradiation has been studied. The maximum reaction rate constant of 0.0197 min(-1) was shown by the YFeO3 nanopowder, which has the smallest crystallite size of similar to 4 nm.

Automated summary

Nanopowders of Y1-xBixFeO3 solid solutions were synthesized through a combination of co-precipitation and thermal treatment. The results showed that the crystallite size increased with the bismuth content in the solid solution. The YFeO3 nanopowder with the smallest crystallite size exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation.