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Preparation, characterization, and mechanism for enhanced photocatalytic performance in Bi1-xSmxFeO3 nanoparticles

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Abstract

Via a simple sol-gel approach, the high photocatalytic efficiency of Bi1-xSmxFeO3 nanoparticles were realized when x was 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20. Microstructural characterizations including X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer, demonstrated a transformation from the rhombohedral structure of BiFeO3 to the orthorhombic structure of Bi0.80Sm0.20FeO3. Moreover, the experimental findings discovered that the photocatalytic efficiency of Bi0.80Sm0.20FeO3 was the highest, reaching 98.5% within 2 h based on visible light degradation. The underlying mechanisms, involved to phase transition, size effect, band energy and Fenton reaction, were discussed. The research presented in the paper is crucial in offering a fundamental strategy for utilizing BiFeO3 to address the issue of water pollutants.

Graphical Abstract

Highlights

  • Bi1-xSmxFeO3 nanoparticles with varying Sm doping levels (x = 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20) were successfully synthesized in this study.

  • X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy demonstrated that the transformation of the rhombohedral crystal structure (R3c space group) to the orthorhombic structure (Pnma space group) in Bi0.80Sm0.20FeO3.

  • Experimental results indicated that the photocatalytic efficiency of Bi0.80Sm0.20FeO3 reach to 98.5%, with superior chemical stability.

  • These findings offer a fundamental strategy for utilizing BiFeO3 in addressing water pollutant issues.

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Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

Our research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No. 12004424, and the Key Academic Discipline Project of China University of Mining and Technology under Grant No. 2022WLXK07 and National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China under Grant No. M35012.

Author contributions

The authors confirm contribution to the paper as follows: study conception and design: CFH, YN, JGW; data collection: YN, RZH, XFY; analysis and interpretation of results: CFH, YN, RZH, XFY, LZ, JW, XWX; draft manuscript preparation: CFH, YN, JGW. All authors reviewed the results and approved the final version of the manuscript.

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  1. These authors contributed equally: Chuanfu Huang, Yao Nie.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Materials Science and Physics, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221116, China

    Chuanfu Huang, Runzhi Han, Xiufen Yang, Lei Zhuang, Jing Wang & Xiuwen Xi

  2. Bijie Industry Polytechnic College, Bijie, Guizhou, 551700, China

    Yao Nie

  3. School of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210093, China

    Jianguo Wan

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  1. Chuanfu Huang
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Huang, C., Nie, Y., Han, R. et al. Preparation, characterization, and mechanism for enhanced photocatalytic performance in Bi1-xSmxFeO3 nanoparticles. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-024-06392-y

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