Efficient CO2 conversion and organic pollutants degradation over Sm3+ doped and rutile TiO2 nanorods decorated-GdFeO3 nanorods

Abstract

In this research work, the Sm3+ incorporated and rutile TiO2 nanorods coupled-GdFeO3 nanorods based nanocomposites are successfully prepared and gaged their visible-light photocatalytic activities for CO2 conversion and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol degradation. To this end, our investigation proved, that GdFeO3 and TiO2 nanorods have a wide surface area, high surface-to-volume values, and improved photocatalytic activities as compared to GdFeO3 and TiO2 nanoparticles respectively. Furthermore, the rutile TiO2 nanorods have significant performances as compared to anatase TiO2 nanorods. Based on our experimental and Ab initio approach, it is confirmed that the synergistic doping of Sm3+ interestingly elongated the visible light absorption proficiency via molding surface status and amending the band gap positions. Right after the coupling of rutile TiO2 nanorods performed the dual function of upgrading the charge separation by receiving HLEEs and activating the surface for CO2 adsorption via the photoelectron modulation approach. In contrast to pristine GdFeO3 nanorods, the optimal 4Sm-(GFONR) and 6RT/4Sm-(GFONR) samples showed efficient visible light activities for CO2 conversion and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol degradation. Fruitfully, our experiential investigations are consistent with the Ab initio and theoretical studies. Finally, our current novel findings will provide new feasible routes to synthesize morphology-based GdFeO3 photocatalysts for CO2 conversion and environmental remediation.