A high-performance magnetically separable and reusable BiFeO3/Bi25FeO40 nano-photocatalyst for purifying water under visible light irradiation

Abstract

This research focuses on the rapid synthesis of photocatalyst materials based on bismuth iron oxides using the sol–gel technique in the presence of various saccharides. Bismuth iron oxides were used due to their magnetic properties and their band gaps that fall in the visible light region. The capacity of the synthesized samples to photodegrade and remove cationic and anionic dyes from water was evaluated. For the purposes of confirming the photocatalytic mechanism, a kinetic analysis and an examination of the active species were carried out. In addition, the recycling and reuse of the BiFeO₃/Bi₂₅FeO₄₀ nano-photocatalyst were investigated over a number of cycles. The BiFeO₃/Bi₂₅FeO₄₀ nanocomposite, which was synthesized in the presence of glucose, showed higher erythrosine photo-degradation efficiency, around 97% after 120 min under visible light irradiation, than the other samples. Also, after 5 cycles, the photo-degradation using the optimal catalyst reached 88% and it showed suitable stability.