Sol–gel synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic properties of SrCrO4 particles

•SrCrO4 single crystalline phosphors were synthesized by a sol–gel process.•The goodness of fit value for structural refinement was obtained as 1.8.•Visible light photocatalytic activity was performed in RhB solution.•Photodegradation rate of 98.3% was observed at 8 h of irradiation time.

Sub-micro/microsized SrCrO4 particles were synthesized by a sol–gel technique and their thermal stability was tested by thermo analytical methods like thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis. The as-prepared (calcined at 950 °C) powders were analyzed morphologically and their structural analysis was carried out by X-ray diffraction pattern and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The as-prepared powders were used as photocatalysts under visible light irradiation. The photocatalytic activity of the SrCrO4 particles was examined by varying the irradiation time in a solution containing photodegradable dye (Rhodamine B (RhB)). The photodegradation rates were found to be approximately 21.8% and 98.3% for RhB solutions without and with photocatalyst, respectively, at an irradiation time of 8 h.

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