The Effect of Different Graphene Surface Area on Photocatalytic Activity of LaFeO3 Nanoparticles

LaFeO3 composites with a different surface area of graphene (SA-1 and SA-2) have been prepared using the co-precipitation method. The samples were characterized by some measurements such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) surface area analysis, Fourier-transform infrared absorption (FTIR), and Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM). LaFeO3 nanoparticle and its composites showed orthorhombic structure. The presence of graphene in the composites was also confirmed. The characterized samples were further used to remove methylene blue under visible light irradiation. The obtained results revealed that incorporation of graphene in the composites results a significantly higher photocatalytic activity compared to LaFeO3 nanoparticles. The apparent reaction constant of LaFeO3/SA-2 composite with a highest specific surface area of 123 m(2)/g showed the fastest degradation in the photocatalytic process. Furthermore, the main factors in the photocatalytic activity were studied and discussed.