Synthesis of LaMnO3–Diamond Composites and Their Photocatalytic Activity in the Degradation of Weak Acid Red C-3GN

Abstract

In this study, a series of LaMnO3–diamond composites with varied LaMnO3 mass contents supported on micro-diamond have been synthesized using a sol–gel method. The as-prepared composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy and the Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR). Meanwhile, the photocatalytic performances were also tested by photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflection spectra (UV-Vis DRS) and the degradation of weak acid red C-3GN (RC-3GN). Results show that the peak position of LaMnO3 is shifted to low angle after the introduction of diamond, and perovskite particles uniformly distributed on the surface of diamond, forming a network structure, which can increase the active sites and the absorption of dye molecules. When the mass ratio of LaMnO3 and diamond is 1:2 (LMO–Dia-2), the composite shows the most excellent photocatalytic activity. This result offers a sample route to enlarge the range of the application of micro-diamond and provide a new carrier for perovskite photocatalysts.