Preparation of SrTi 0.1Fe 0.9O 3− δ and its photocatalysis activity for degradation of methyl orange in water

Abstract

Magnetic perovskite-type SrTi 0.1Fe 0.9O 3− δ was synthesized by stearic acid gel combustion method. The obtained powders were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and UV-Visible absorption spectrum techniques. Mean valence of Fe ion and the concentration of oxygen vacancies in SrTi 0.1Fe 0.9O 3− δ were measured by iodometric method. The magnetic properties of the SrTi 0.1Fe 0.9O 3− δ were measured, and the SrTi 0.1Fe 0.9O 3− δ was also evaluated for its photocatalytic activity towards the degradation of methyl orange (MO) under the sunlight irradiation. The experimental results show that the SrTi 0.1Fe 0.9O 3− δ is the photocatalyst possessing of magnetic property and visible-light activity, i.e., bifunctional photocatalyst. The SrTi 0.1Fe 0.9O 3− δ is applicable to the magnetic separation process and also shows excellent photocatalytic activity for the degradation of MO. The optimal conditions for photocatalytic degradation were methyl orange concentration of 20 mg L −1 at pH 6.0 with the SrTi 0.1Fe 0.9O 3− δ concentration of 7.29 mg L −1 for 3 h. In addition, the SrTi 0.1Fe 0.9O 3 is reusable and maintain relatively high activity. This study could point out a potential way to develop new and more active magnetic perovskite-type photocatalysts.