Visible Light Photocatalytic Degradation of Sunset Yellow Dye and Industrial Textile Wastewater Using Pd-BiFeO3 Composite

Abstract

Herein, pristine BiFeO3 and Pd-incorporated BiFeO3 (Pd-BiFeO3) composite were synthesized using hydrothermal synthesis method. The physiochemical and optical properties of the synthesized materials were investigated using numerous techniques. The Pd-BiFeO3 composite significantly enhanced the photocatalytic degradation of sunset yellow (SSY) dye in comparison with the pristine BiFeO3 under visible light irradiation. The enhanced photoactivity was credited to the improved photogenerated charge carrier separation, which was in accordance with the photoelectrochemical measurements. Moreover, the Pd-BiFeO3 composite can be recycled for seven consecutive runs without sufficient loss of photocatalytic activity. Radical trapping studies suggested that the hydroxyl radical (•OH), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and hole (h+) were the key reactive oxidizing species. A possible photocatalytic enhancement mechanism of Pd-BiFeO3 composite was stated. Finally, for the first time, the Pd-BiFeO3 composite was also applied towards the effective degradation of industrial textile wastewater.