Enhanced photocatalytic dye degradation and hydrogen production ability of Bi${}_{25}$FeO${}_{40}$-rGO nanocomposite and mechanism insight

Abstract

A comprehensive comparison between Bi${}_{25}$FeO${}_{40}$-reduced graphene oxide(rGO) nanocomposite and BiFeO${}_3$-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 BiFeO${}_3$ and sillenite Bi${}_{25}$FeO${}_{40}$. Both perovskite and sillenite structured nanocomposites are stable and exhibit considerably higher photocatalytic ability over pure BiFeO${}_3$ nanoparticles and commercially available Degussa P25 titania. Notably, Bi${}_{25}$FeO${}_{40}$- rGO nanocomposite has demonstrated superior photocatalytic ability and stability under visible light irradiation than that of BiFeO${}_3$-rGO nanocomposite. The possible mechanism behind the superior photocatalytic performance of Bi${}_{25}$FeO${}_{40}$-rGO nanocomposite has been critically discussed.

13 pages, 6 figures

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