La0.8Bi0.2FeO3 Perovskite-Type: High-Performance of Photocatalytic Degradation of Ortho-Toluidine Blue Under Visible Light Irradiation

Abstract

In this study, La1-xBixFeO3 (x=0.0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6) perovskite nanoparticles were synthesized by a modified Pechini method. Rigorous analysis through XRD and SEM/EDX confirmed the absence of secondary phases in both pure and Bi-substituted LaFeO3 samples, indicating the formation of a single-phase perovskite. SEM images revealed the quasi-spherical shape of the particles. The photocatalytic activity of La1-xBixFeO3 (x=0.0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6) was evaluated by the degradation of ortho-Toluidine Blue under visible light irradiation, indicating that La0.8Bi0.2FeO3 exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity. The overall removal rate of o-Toluidine Blue reached 90.09% after visible light irradiation lasting for 60 min. We attribute this heightened photocatalytic activity to the grain size and optical properties of prepared sample. Consequently, the La0.8Bi0.2FeO3 can be considered as a very promising photocatalyst in future industrial application to treat effectively wastewater of dyes.