Size-controlled synthesis and photocatalytic properties of YMnO3 nanoparticles

Nanocrystalline YMnO3 samples with average particle size ranging from 85 to 45 nm have been synthesized through a polyacrylamide gel route. The optical energy bandgap of the samples has been measured by optical absorption, and is shown to increase with decreasing particle size from 1.23 eV for 85 nm to 1.31 eV for 45 nm. The photocatalytic experiments reveal that the as-prepared YMnO3 nanoparticles exhibit a pronounced photocatalytic activity for the decomposition of methyl red under ultraviolet and visible light irradiation, and the photocatalytic efficiency increases with decreasing the particle size.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch Highlights► YMnO3 nanoparticles with different average sizes have been synthesized. ► The particles are nearly spherical in shape with a narrow diameter distribution. ► Bandgap energies of YMnO3 samples are obtained to be 1.23 ~ 1.31 eV. ► The nanoparticles exhibit a photocatalytic activity for the decomposition of MR.