Photocatalytic activities of LaFeO3 and La2FeTiO6 in p-chlorophenol degradation under visible light

Rare-earth perovskite-type oxides LaFeO3 and La2FeTiO6 were prepared by glucose sol–gel method and investigated as photocatalysts for p-chlorophenol degradation under visible light. The as-prepared powders were characterized by XRD, BET, FT-IR, SEM, UV–vis DRS, magnetization measurement and Mössbauer spectroscopy. XRD indicated that both LaFeO3 and La2FeTiO6 had formed single-phase perovskite-type oxides. Experimental results demonstrated that the photocatalytic activity of La2FeTiO6 was much higher than that of LaFeO3. It is considered that the excellent activity of La2FeTiO6 results from the difference in structure and surface properties between La2FeTiO6 and LaFeO3.

Double perovskite La2FeTiO6 exhibited more excellent photocatalytic activity than that of single perovskite LaFeO3. The degradation of p-chlorophenol was 62.1% after 5 h irradiation under visible light in the presence of La2FeTiO6. This could be correlated well with the structure and surface property of the catalyst.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► La2FeTiO6 shows better photocatalytic activity than LaFeO3 for pollutant degradation.
► Oxygen vacancies contribute to superior photocatalytic activity of La2FeTiO6.
► The symmetry at the Fe nucleus of La2FeTiO6 is inferior to that of LaFeO3.