Synthesis, photoelectrochemical properties and solar light-induced photocatalytic activity of bismuth ferrite nanoparticles

Bismuth ferrite (BFO) nanoparticles prepared by solid state reaction route were characterized by various characterization techniques such as XRD, FESEM, HRTEM, UV–Vis DRS, PL etc., and their photocatalytic activities were evaluated by decolorization of aqueous solution of Congo red (CR) under solar light. The photocatalytic activity of BFO was increased by increasing the preparation temperature from 350 to 500 °C and then decreased with rise in temperature. The results of electrochemical measurements such as linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), electrochemical impedence (EIS), and Mott–Schottky analysis of BFO nanoparticles corroborated the findings of their photocatalytic activity. The enhanced photocatalytic response of the sample prepared at 500 °C is attributed to its smallest band gap, minimum crystallite size (30 nm), efficient separation, and lowest possible recombination of photo-generated charge carriers. The effects of amount of nano-BFO, irradiation time, initial CR concentration, and BFO calcination temperature on the decolorization of CR were examined. It was observed that 1 g/L nano-BFO calcined at 500 °C can decolorize up to 77% a 10-ppm CR dye solution under solar irradiation for 60 min. The studies included scavenger tests for identification of reactive species and a possible mechanism of dye decolorization.