Preparation of Y3+ and transition metal ions codoped-BiFeO3 with enhanced magnetism and photocatalytic properties

Abstract

Nanosized particles of Bi 0.95 Y 0.05 Fe 0.97 M 0.03 O 3 (M ​= ​Mn,Co,Ni,Cu,Zn) were successfully synthesized through thermal decomposition coordination precursors with diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (H 5 dtpa) as ligand. All prepared samples were characterized by XRD, Uv–vis DRS, SEM, PL, EIS, VSM and so on. From XRD results, the main phase of the samples was rhombohedral R3c (161) BiFeO 3 , and contained a small amount of soft iron ore Bi 25 FeO 40 . The phase and morphology of prepared samples were affected by doping ions. The average grain size of the samples was about 20 ​nm.T.The Uv–vis demonstrated the band gap of all samples was less than 2 ​eV and the response to light of all samples extended from ultraviolet region to visible region (~650 ​nm).The BFO–Y–Mn exhibited the minimum band gap of 1.77 ​eV. At the same time, photocatalytic activities of all samples prepared were evaluated through the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO). BiFeO 3 co-doping with 5%Y 3+ and 3%Mn 2+ exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity for MO solution. In the present of BFO–Y–Mn, the degradation rate of MO under light irradiation of 3 ​h was about 98%. Y 3+ ion and transition metal ions co-doped bismuth ferrite were successfully prepared by low-temperature thermal decomposition of coordination precursor method. The effects of different transition metal ions on the phase, magnetism, band structure, and photocatalytic properties of BiFeO 3 have been investigated. According to the energy band potential, it can be inferred that •OH − is the main active species in the photodegradation reaction of MO. • Y 3+ and M 2+ co-doped BiFeO 3 photocatalysts were successfully synthesized by a facile method. • Y 3+ and M 2+ co-doped BiFeO 3 photocatalysts demonstrated residual magnetism at room temperature. • The phase, band structure, and photocatalytic properties of co-doped BiFeO 3 ​have been investigated.