Enhanced visible light-responsive photocatalytic activity of LnFeO3 (Ln = La, Sm) nanoparticles by synergistic catalysis

• LnFeO3 (Ln = La, Sm) nanoparticles were prepared by a facile sol–gel method.
• The samples exhibit superior visible-light-responsive photocatalytic activity.
• Synergistic effect will enhance the photodegradation of RhB under visible light.

LnFeO3 (Ln = La, Sm) nanoparticles were prepared by a facile sol–gel method with assistance of glycol at different calcination temperatures. The as-synthesized LnFeO3 was characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimeter and thermogravimetric analysis, and UV–vis absorption spectroscopy. The photocatalytic behaviors of LnFeO3 nanoparticles were evaluated by photodegradation of rhodamine B under visible light irradiation. The results indicate that the visible light-responsive photocatalytic activity of LnFeO3 nanoparticles was enhanced remarkably by the synergistic effect between the semiconductor photocatalysis and Fenton-like reaction. And a possible catalytic mechanism was also proposed based on the experimental results.

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