Probing the Site-Selective Doping in SrSnO₃:Eu Oxides and Its Impact on the Crystal and Electronic Structures Using Synchrotron Radiation and DFT Simulations

Abstract

The impact of Eu3+ doping at the Sr2+ and Sn4+ sites in SrSnO3 on its structural and electronic properties was studied and correlated with the photocatalytic efficiency. The compounds were synthesized using a modified Pechini method. Refinement of the synchrotron X-ray diffraction (S-XRD) data showed that the samples had an orthorhombic Pbnm symmetry. The incorporation of Eu into the lattice led to increased short- and long-range disorder, inducing additional distortion in the SnO6. XANES measurements revealed that mixed Eu valences (Eu3+ and Eu2+) were present in Eu-doped samples, and DFT calculations confirmed the presence of these ions at Sr2+/Sr4+ sites in the SrSnO3, resulting in changes in the electronic behavior. The catalytic performance toward Remazol yellow dye photodegradation and the catalysts’ surface properties were also evaluated. The catalytic efficiency followed the order of Sr­(Sn0.99Eu0.01)­SnO3 > (Sr0.99Eu0.01)­SnO3 > SrSnO3. The order was clearly related to selected-site doping that changed the degree of the inter- and intraoctahedral distortion and the introduction of different Eu midgap states, which apparently favor charge separation upon photoexcitation during photocatalysis. The results shown here are of great importance to the functionalization of SrSnO3 and other perovskite materials by lanthanoid ions, especially Eu3+, for effective applications as photocatalysts.

Research on the Sustainable Heterogeneous Catalyst Development for Photocatalytic Treatment of Phenol

“…Subsequently, with the use of a Shimadzu UV-1800 spectrophotometer, it was possible to analyze the resulting solution based on UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy over a wavelength scan ranging from 240 to 800 nm. As a result, the ultimate concentration of the solution could be derived through observing the largest absorption band of phenol at 271 nm following Equation (7), proposed by Rahman et al [33] and Chantelle et al [34]:…”

“…The Zn, and O are 4.67%, 9.24%, 61.22%, and 24.87%, respectively. The a peaks in the EDS indicates the CdO/ZnO/Yb2O3 NSs product is exclu Cd, Yb, Zn, and O [34].…”

“…Considering the previous references, and on the basis of the assessed a Diverse variables may influence the photocatalytic behavior of a material. The crystalline architecture and surface deficiencies, in combination with the particle size and surface area, for example, are essential factors influencing the photocatalysis that takes place as a result of the reaction between the phenol molecules and the catalyst [34]. It was noticed that the superior photocatalytic activities of CdO/ZnO/Yb 2 O 3 NSs may be due to the structural flaws in the material itself or the existence of ionic deficiencies in the material.…”

Recent Progress of Perovskite Oxide in Emerging Photocatalysis Landscape: Water Splitting, CO₂ Reduction, and N₂ Fixation

“…A and B site cations in the perovskite lattice give a broader scope to tailor the structure and properties of photocatalyst, however, the conventional "trial and error" approach reduces the efficiency of developing novel materials. The theoretical calculation based on density functional theory (DFT) provides relevant insights into theoretical electronic band structures to uncover the structure-property relationship, which can be used to predict the photocatalytic performance and lays a good foundation for the rational development of effective new perovskite oxide photocatalyst [311][312][313] .…”

Supporting the photocatalysts on ZrO2: An effective way to enhance the photocatalytic activity of SrSnO3

“…The presence of oxygen vacancies also improves the migration of photogenerated electrons and holes to the surface and their rapid transfer to the catalytic sites [61]. Recently, our research group [63] showed that Eu doping into SrSnO3 lattice increased short-and long-range order, induced a distortion in the SnO6 and created Eu midgap states. All these factors apparently favored charge separation and improved the photocatalytic activity.…”