Low-temperature fabrication of Bi25FeO40/rGO nanocomposites with efficient photocatalytic performance under visible light irradiation

Abstract

Bismuth ferrite/reduced graphene oxide (Bi₂₅FeO₄₀/rGO) nanocomposites have been synthesized by a hydrothermal method, followed by a simple room temperature liquid phase process. Interestingly, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy analyses indicated that the presence of rGO triggered the transformation of perovskite phase BiFeO₃ to sillenite phase Bi₂₅FeO₄₀ at room temperature, while the spindle-like morphology was maintained. Under visible light irradiation, the obtained Bi₂₅FeO₄₀/rGO nanocomposites exhibit high photocatalytic performance for the degradation of methyl orange (MO), suggesting potential applications in photocatalytic and related areas. Furthermore, the function of rGO for the enhancement of photocatalytic activity and the probable mechanism were also discussed on the basis of the results.