Design and structural of Sm-doped SbFeO₃ nanopowders and immobilized on poly(ethylene oxide) for efficient photocatalysis and hydrogen generation under visible light irradiation

Abstract

In this study, the samarium doped SbFeO₃ nanoparticles/poly (ethylene oxide) was prepared via the hydrothermal and chemical technique. The prepared materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering and UV–visible spectroscopy analysis. Photocatalysis degradation studies are conducted for methyl orange dye and benzene degradation by using the prepared materials in aqueous solution under sunlight irradiation. The degradation efficiency of methyl orange and benzene were 99.23%, and 93.87%, respectively. The solar degradation of the organic compounds indicated the substantial performance of Sm-SbFeO₃/poly (ethylene oxide) photocatalyst rather than using the pure SFO nanoparticles. The performance of Sm-SbFeO₃/poly (ethylene oxide) was examined for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. The H₂ production rate of were 76.74 µmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹.

Introduction

The industry was developed in the world, and the wastewaters with highly toxic organic pollutants were produced and conducted to main environmental and health human problems. Therefore, the treatment of water is considered as an important challenge [1,2]. The organic pollutants was purified through the biological method [3], membrane processes [4], adsorption reaction [5], chemical oxidation [6], and chemical precipitation [7]. Heterogeneous photocatalysis is the important processes which that oxidation of contaminants [8], [9], [10], [11]. Recently, numerous studies have been presented on semiconductors as photocatalysts with doping or hybrid state for the decomposition of organic contaminants from the wastewater [12,13]. Various semiconductors such as TiO₂, ZnO, CdS, and ZnS have been used as photocatalysts [12,14,15,16]. This is because of their non-toxicity, long-term stability, and low-cost properties. The low cast photocatalyst with fast recombination of e⁻/h⁺ pairs is important for heterogeneous photocatalysis process.

SbFeO₃ as visible-activated photocatalyst is a multiferroic compound with rhombohedral/perovskite structure, which can be used in photocatalysis system due to narrow bandgap energy and chemical stability [17]. The perovskite nanostructure were used as photocatalyst in the previous studies [18], [19], [20], [21]. The novelty of this work is that the new application of SFO for photocatalysis process. However, the enhancing photocatalytic property of SFO is important due to the recombination of e⁻/h⁺ pairs at the surface. Doping transition metals or rare-earth element is the best candidate for increase the photocatalytic activity. The many researchers were investigated the rare earth elements, such as Gadolinium, Neodymium, Samarium, Dysprosium for doping process [22], [23], [24], [25]. The rare earth elements doping process could induce bandgap energy reduction, and reducing the recombination of charge carrier. In order to the enhancement of recycle capability, low weight, and light resistance, the immobilization of photocatalysts by using the polymer such as poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) is important for any photocatalysis system. The previous studies showed that the different immobilization process for photocatalysis system [26,27].

In this project, samarium doped SbFeO₃ /poly (ethylene oxide) nanocomposites have been prepared and characterized using experimental analysis methods. Crystallography, optical and structural properties were investigated. Photocatalytic activity of the pure SbFeO₃ and samarium doped SbFeO₃ /poly (ethylene oxide) nanocomposites were evaluated by photodegradation of dye and benzene under sunlight irradiation. The hydrogen production amount was evaluated in the presence of the prepared catalysts.