Surface chemical and photocatalytic consequences of Ca-doping of BiFeO3 as probed by XPS and H2O2 decomposition studies

Abstract

Pure and Ca-doped Bi1−xCaxFeO3 samples were prepared with x=0.0–0.2, adopting a sol–gel method. Previously reported studies performed on similarly composed and prepared samples revealed that Ca-doping, above solubility limit (namely at ≥10%-Ca), results in phase separation and formation of BiFeO3/α(γ)-Fe2O3 nanocomposite particles. Hetero p/n nanojunctions thus established were considered to help separating photo-generated electron–hole pairs and, therefore, explain consequent promotion of photo-Fenton catalytic activity of BiFeO3 towards methylene blue degradation in presence of H2O2 additive. However, the encompassed decomposition of H2O2 was not addressed. To bridge this gap of knowledge, the present investigation was designed to assess Ca-doping-effected surface chemical modifications and gauge its impact on the heterogeneous photo-/thermo-catalytic activity of BiFeO3 towards H2O2 decomposition, by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and H2O2 decomposition gravimetry. XPS results revealed generation of high binding energy Bi 4f and Fe 2p states, as well as enhancement of the surface basicity, upon doping to 10%-Ca. These surface chemical consequences are rendered hardly detectable upon further increase of the dopant magnitude to 20%-Ca. In parallel, the H2O2 decomposition activity of the ferrite, under natural visible light, is enhanced to optimize upon Ca-doping at 10%, and, then, decreased on further doping to 20%. H2O2 decomposition experiments carried out in absence of light indicate that the doping promoting impact is reflected essentially in the photocatalytic activity. Accordingly, the observed surface chemical consequences of Ca-doping are considered to consolidate the p/n nanojunctions consequently established in the material bulk, by retarding recombination of visible light generated electron–hole pairs, thus enhancing the heterogeneous photocatalytic activity of BiFeO3.