Photoinduced decomposition of BaFeO3 during photodegradation of methyl orange

Photodegradation of methyl orange under UV light irradiation has been studied over a photocatalyst BaFeO3 prepared by the citrate–nitrate combustion method. Both X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy have revealed the decomposition of the structure of BaFeO3 after the photocatalytic experiment. The photoinduced decomposition of BaFeO3 is due to the existence of unstable iron ions in BaFeO3. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicates that the valence state of iron ions in BaFeO3 changes after the photocatalytic experiment. SEM observation shows that the morphology of BaFeO3 does not change under UV light irradiation. It is indispensable to select a suitable element for the B-site in order to synthesize photostable perovskite photocatalysts.

Photocatalyst BaFeO3 has been synthesized by the citrate–nitrate combustion method. The photocatalytic activity of BaFeO3 has been evaluated for photodegradation of methyl orange under UV light irradiation. Structural information of BaFeO3 obtained by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicates that the valence state of iron ions in BaFeO3 changes after the photocatalytic experiment and discussed.BaFeO3 + CO2 + hν → compound (800 °C calcined) → BaFe2O4.