Enhanced photocatalytic dye degradation and hydrogen production ability of Bi25FeO40-rGO nanocomposite and mechanism insight

Abstract

A comprehensive comparison between BiFeO3-reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanocomposite and Bi25FeO40-rGO nanocomposite has been performed to investigate their photocatalytic abilities in degradation of Rhodamine B dye and generation of hydrogen by water-splitting. The hydrothermal technique adapted for synthesis of the nanocomposites provides a versatile temperature-controlled phase selection between perovskite BiFeO3 and sillenite Bi25FeO40. Both perovskite and sillenite structured nanocomposites are stable and exhibit considerably higher photocatalytic ability over pure BiFeO3 nanoparticles and commercially available Degussa P25 titania. Notably, Bi25FeO40-rGO nanocomposite has demonstrated superior photocatalytic ability and stability under visible light irradiation than that of BiFeO3-rGO nanocomposite. The possible mechanism behind the superior photocatalytic performance of Bi25FeO40-rGO nanocomposite has been critically discussed.

MoS2 nanosheet incorporated α-Fe2O3/ZnO nanocomposite with enhanced photocatalytic dye degradation and hydrogen production ability

“…Two of these redox reactions are especially important and needed to be analyzed to explain the rationale behind the improved photocatalytic degradation performance of the synthesized nanocomposites. 3,30 At rst, the photoinduced holes yield hydroxyl cOH radical species by reacting with the OH À present in the solution ionized from water (redox potential: 2.38 V vs. NHE). Eventually, cOH radicals oxidize and decompose RhB molecules.…”

Enhanced UV-Vis Photodegradation of Nanocomposite Reduced Graphene Oxide/Ferrite Nanofiber Films Prepared by Laser-Assisted Evaporation

“…Our results are in good agreement with previous results reported in the literature concerning photocatalytic degradation efficiency of MFO/rGO composite layers. The inclusion of rGO improved the photocatalytic activity, demonstrating considerably better degradation of methylene blue [77] or Rhodamine B [20] dye molecules and higher hydrogen production by water-splitting, as compared to pure BiFeO 3 [77]. The photocatalytic properties of the LFO/rGO composite photocatalyst containing 5 wt.% rGO, with the highest degradation efficiency under UV light irradiation, were also tested during visible light irradiation (Figure 8).…”

“…In addition, highly reduced graphene oxide (rGO) is a two-dimensional material of great interest in many application fields due to its large surface area, high electron mobility and conductivity [17]. The addition of rGO or graphene platelets to perovskite oxide nanoparticles has led to significant improvements in their photocatalytic degradation efficiencies, with rGO acting as an electron transfer channel, preventing electron-hole recombination [18][19][20][21]. Current synthesis methods for the preparation of nanocomposite compounds containing rGO and metal oxides are usually multistep procedures that involve toxic substances or long-lasting high-temperature annealing processes [22][23][24].…”

Pt nanoparticles decorated heterostructured g-C3N4/Bi2MoO6 microplates with highly enhanced photocatalytic activities under visible light

“…In addition, synthesis of heterojunction structure 23 and decoration of noble metals 24 in photocatalysts with enhanced visible light response and easy separation of electron-hole pairs have also induced extensive interests in recent years. For example, the formation of heterojunction structure on TiO 2 25 , ZnO 26 and some carbon matrix such as g-C 3 N 4 27 , r-GO 28 and carbon nanotubes 29 presents an efficient separation of electrons and holes to facilitate photocatalytic activity. The decoration of noble metals, such as Au 30 , Ag 31 , Pt 32 and Pd 33 exhibits an improved light response to extend the light absorbance range.…”