Hydrothermal Synthesis of BiFeO3 Nanoparticles for Visible Light Photocatalytic Applications

Bismuth ferrite is a promising material for visible light response photocatalytic applications due to its narrow band gap. In this work, single crystalline BiFeO3 nanoparticles were prepared by a modified hydrothermal process. The effects of hydrothermal temperature, reaction time and precursor xerogel amoumt on the as-prepared BiFeO3 particle size and morphology were investigated by XRD, TEM and HRTEM. The XRD analysis reveals that single crystalline BiFeO3 particles can be obtained when the hydrothermal temperature is kept below 220 degrees C. TEM observation showed that the as-formed BFO particles are in a square or rectangle-like shape and that the particle size is increased with increasing hydrothermal temperature. The hydrothermal reaction time and the amount of xerogel could also influence the as-formed BFO particle morphology and size. The band gap of the as-prepared BFO nanoparticles was identified by UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrum. The measurement of photodegradation of methyl orange dye in an aqueous solution revealed that the as-prepared BFO nanoparticles exhibit photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation.