Photocatalytic degradation of phenol by LaFeO3 nanocrystalline synthesized by gel combustion method via citric acid route

Arif Aizat, Farhana Aziz, Mohd Nazri Mohd Sokri, Muhammad Syamim Sahimi, Nursyazwani Yahya, Juhana Jaafar, Wan Norhayati Wan Salleh, Norhaniza Yusof, Ahmad Fauzi Ismail

Focusing on the photocatalytic degradation of phenol under visible light, the synthesized lanthanum orthoferrites (LaFeO₃) by gel combustion method using citric acid as sacrificial agent were investigated. With the highest reaction temperature of 200 °C, the physicochemical properties of synthesized samples were characterized by X-Ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, Brunauer–Emmet–Teller (BET), and Energy Dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy (EDS). On the other hand, UV–Vis spectroscopy analysis was carried out to determine the phenol photodegradation activities and mechanism. The results suggested the well-defined LaFeO₃ nanocrystals with specific area of 28 m² g⁻¹ were successfully synthesized. Besides that, variations in operating parameters such as pH, catalyst dosage and initial concentration of phenol in synthetic wastewater were also examined. In conclusion, LaFeO₃ nanocrystalline exhibited …

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42452-018-0104-x