Fabrication of nanocrystalline LaFeO_3: An efficient sol-gel auto-combustion assisted visible light responsive photocatalyst for water decomposition

摘要

Synthesis of nano photocatalysts, LaFeO_3 with orthorhombic perovskite structure by sol-gel auto-combustion method was demonstrated. The samples were characterized by PXRD, SEM, HRTEM, XPS and optical absorption studies. Photocatalytic water decomposition over LaFeO_3 nanoparticles activated at various temperatures without any co-catalyst were investigated under visible light irradiation (λ 420 nm). Highest amount of H_2 and O_2 evolved in 180 min over the LaFeO_3 activated at 500 ℃ was recorded to be 1290 nmol and 640 nmol, respectively having apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) 8.07%. The pronounced activity of nano LaFeO_3 samples towards water decomposition was consistent with BET-surface area and particle size analyses.