Nd<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>-Decorated BiFeO<sub>3</sub> Nanoplates for Efficient Hydrogen Production via Photocatalytic Water Splitting
Kristi Kanya Saikia, Ritu Raj, Krishna Kanta Haldar
Abstract
This study investigates the enhancement of photocatalytic activity for hydrogen production through the incorporation of neodymium oxide (Nd 2 O 3 ) into bismuth ferrite (BiFeO 3 ) nanoplates, positioning photocatalytic water splitting as a promising and sustainable hydrogen production method. The Nd 2 O 3 -decorated BiFeO 3 nanoplates were synthesized via a facile sol–gel method followed by calcination at 500 °C, resulting in a nanocomposite structure characterized by enhanced light absorption and charge separation capabilities. Comprehensive characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), and UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, were employed to confirm the successful incorporation of Nd 2 O 3 onto the BiFeO 3 nanoplates and to elucidate their structural, morphological, and optical properties. The photocatalytic performance was rigorously evaluated under visible light irradiation, demonstrating a significant enhancement in hydrogen evolution rates─specifically, an increase by a factor of 2 compared to the individual components. The superior photocatalytic activity is attributed to the synergistic effects of Nd 2 O 3, which effectively minimizes the recombination of photogenerated electron–hole pairs and enhances surface reaction kinetics. This assertion is corroborated by in-depth photoelectrochemical measurements, including electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy (TCSPC), providing insights into the charge transfer mechanisms and the origin of the enhanced photocatalytic activity. This study highlights the potential of Nd 2 O 3 -decorated BiFeO 3 nanoplates as efficient photocatalysts for water splitting, contributing to the development of sustainable hydrogen production pathways and advancing the field of solar-to-chemical energy conversion.