Enhanced photocatalytic activity and dye degradation efficiency of La doped BiFeO₃–reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite

Abstract In the present article, we have prepared Bi 1- x La x FeO 3 ( x = 0.00, 0.10 and 0.15) nanoparticles through the sol–gel method. These nanoparticles were composited on high-quality reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets via ultrasonication followed by stirring processes. All the prepared materials were subjected to various structural, micro-structural and optical characterization techniques. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy were used for structural, microstructural, and optical studies, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy micrograph coupled with energy dispersive X-ray analysis was used to confirm the formation of nanocomposite. Photocatalytic properties and dye degradation efficiency of as prepared materials were tested under the irradiation of UV–Vis light of intensity one sun and air mass coefficient 1.5. We have used UV–Vis spectrophotometer for the measurement of concentration of rhodamine dye. The dye degradation efficiency of Bi 0.85 Sm 0.15 FeO 3 –reduced graphene oxide (BFO-15@GR) was found to be better than other prepared materials. Our research indicates that the BFO-15@GR composite is the best material, as it degraded 81 % of the dye after 120 min of radiation.