Synthesis, structure, and photo-Fenton activity of PrFeO3-TiO2 mesoporous nanocomposites

Porous nanocomposites based on PrFeO3-TiO2 were synthesized using the glycine-nitrate combustion method with different values of mass content of TiO2 (0–7.5 %) and subsequent heat treatment in air. The results of X-ray phase analysis and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the presence of ultradispersed TiO2, structurally close to that of anatase. The morphology, specific surface area, and porous structure of the obtained powders were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and adsorption-structural analysis, the results of which showed that the samples had a foam-like mesoporous structure.The specific surface area and the average pore size were in the ranges of 7.6–17.8 m2/g and 7.2–15.2 nm, respectively, and varied depending on the TiO2 content. The optical properties of the nanocomposites were studied by UV-visible diffuse reflection spectroscopy, the energy of the band gap was calculated as 2.11–2.26 eV. The photocatalytic activity of PrFeO3‑TiO2 nanocomposites was investigated in the process of photo-Fenton-like degradation of methyl violet under the action of visible light. It was shown that the maximum reaction rate constant was 0.095 min-1, which is ten times higher than the value for the known orthoferrite-based analogs. The obtained photocatalysts were also characterized by their high cyclic stability. Based on the studies carried out, the obtained porous PrFeO3-TiO2 nanocomposites can be considered to be apromising basis for photocatalysts applied in advanced oxidative processes of aqueous media purification from organic pollutants.