Structural and photocatalytic properties of CeFeO3 and CeFeO3/GO nanostructures

CeFeO3 nanoparticles have been synthesized by using a fast microwave-thermal treatment method in the presence of PVP at temperatures ranging from 500 to 700 degrees C. The nanopowders synthesized have been characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and vibrating-sample magnetometer (VSM). Nanopowders synthesized present different crystallite sizes, ranging from 30 to 60 nm, and a weak ferromagnetic behavior which increase with the calcination temperature. The optical band gap of the CeFeO3 nanopowders was obtained by UV-Vis spectroscopy (UV-Vis) measurements and resulted to decrease with the calcination temperature. The photocatalytic activity of CeFeO3 nanopowders was tested in the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light (400 nm < lambda < 700 nm). The higher photoactivity toward MB degradation under visible light of CeFeO3 sample obtained at the lower calcination temperature was attributed to its smaller particle size. Subsequently, CeFeO3/GO nanocomposite was prepared and investigated. The observed photocatalytic efficiency of the synthesized CeFeO3/GO was 97% after 25 min which showed excellent photocatalytic activity. The combination of CeFeO3 nanoparticles with graphene oxide could be a way to develop a novel potential photocatalyst toward highly efficient degradation of organic dyes under visible light radiation. [GRAPHICS] .

Automated summary

CeFeO3 nanoparticles were synthesized by a fast microwave-thermal treatment method in the presence of PVP. The synthesized nanoparticles exhibited different crystallite sizes and weak ferromagnetic behavior. The optical band gap of the CeFeO3 nanoparticles decreased with the calcination temperature. Under visible light, the CeFeO3 nanoparticles showed good photocatalytic activity in the degradation of methylene blue, with higher activity observed at lower calcination temperatures. The CeFeO3/GO nanocomposite demonstrated excellent photocatalytic efficiency, making it a potential candidate for highly efficient degradation of organic dyes under visible light radiation.