Tunable Photocatalytic Properties of Au-Decorated BiFeO<sub>3</sub> Nanostructures for Dye Photodegradation
Jhen-Yang Wu, Chun‐Yi Chen, Junan Wang, Xinyu Jin, Wending Hou, Hsuan-Hung Kuo, Wan‐Ting Chiu, Tomoyuki Kurioka, Masato Sone, Satoshi Okamoto, Yung‐Jung Hsu, Tso‐Fu Mark Chang
Abstract
High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide This study presents the synthesis and characterization of Au nanoparticle-decorated BiFeO 3 (Au-BiFeO 3 ) nanocrystals fabricated by a hydrothermal technique. The key focus is the augmented photocatalytic properties of these nanocrystals for the effective photodegradation of methylene blue (MB), a common industrial dye. The magnetic properties of the Au-BiFeO 3 merely differ from those of the BiFeO 3 . The decoration of Au nanoparticles onto the BiFeO 3 introduces heterojunction structures that lead to effective charge-carrier separation under illumination. Time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy confirms the enhanced charge separation and reduced recombination rate in Au-BiFeO 3 nanocrystals. Through meticulous optimization, the photocatalytic performance of these nanocomposites was evaluated under various Au loadings, revealing that 1.0 wt % Au-BiFeO 3 exhibits the most superior activity, achieving an impressive 98% degradation efficiency of MB under a 500 W xenon lamp within 120 min. The study also demonstrates the structural integrity and stability of the photocatalyst, with it retaining about 80% of its original activity after four cycles of the 120 min photodegradation process. These findings suggest that the Au-BiFeO 3 nanocrystals are promising, efficient, and sustainable photocatalysts for environmental purification and offer insights into designing advanced materials for solar energy utilization.