Boron-doped LaFeO 3 photocatalysts were successfully synthesized by a facile sol-gel method using glucose as a novel complexing agent. The photocatalysts were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, UV-vis DRS, BET, XPS and O 2 -TPD techniques. The results show that the catalysts formed pure orthorhombic perovskite structures when the boron-doped content was less than 7.5%. The specific surface area of 3.5% B-doped catalysts reached 62.3 m 2 g −1 , but pure LaFeO 3 achieved just 6.4 m 2 g −1 . The content of absorbed oxygen increased to 61.28% for 3.5% B-doped LaFeO 3 from 38.2% for undoped LaFeO 3 . Compared with undoped and other boron-doped LaFeO 3 photocatalysts, the 3.5% B-doped LaFeO 3 catalyst exhibits the best photocatalytic activity for phenol degradation after 300 min of simulated sunlight irradiation. The superior photocatalytic activity of B-doped LaFeO 3 is ascribed to these factors: first, the large specific surface area; second, the efficient separation of photogenerated electrons and holes on the surface of the catalyst; third, the increase in oxygen centers for photocatalytic activity.
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