Novel composite BiFeO3/ZrO2 and its high photocatalytic performance under white LED visible-light irradiation

A novel composite BiFeO3(BFO)/ZrO2 was successfully fabricated via a sol-gel method, characterized by XRD, SEM, XPS and UV-vis DRS techniques and used as a visible-light photocatalyst. The photocatalytic performance was investigated by the degradation of the refractory dye Rhodamine B (RhB) in water under the designed white LED visible-light irradiation. The results showed that BFO nanoparticles were firmly dispersed onto cube-like ZrO2. The photocatalyst prepared at the mass ratio of 0.3:1 of BFO to ZrO2, 30-BFO/ZrO2, displayed the highest photocatalytic activity. The high aqueous RhB degradation and mineralization were achieved under appropriate conditions. The degradation followed well the first-order kinetics, and the increased visible-light intensity, decreased initial RhB concentration and optimal initial solution pH favoured the enhanced photocatalytic performance. Quenching tests confirmed predominant reactive species, center dot OH and h(+). The leaching of metals was undetected, meaning the chemical and light-resistant stability of photocatalyst. The photocatalyst also displayed good reusability.