Cu-substituted lanthanum ferrite perovskites: Preparation, characterization and photocatalytic activity in gas-solid regime under simulated solar light irradiation

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds 2016-10, Vol.682, p.686-694
• Main Authors: Parrino, F., García-López, E., Marcì, G., Palmisano, L., Felice, V., Sora, I. Natali, Armelao, L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cu(II) substituted LaFeO3; LaFeO3; Perovskite; Photocatalysis
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2016.05.017

LaFeO3 perovskites, both bare and containing 5–40 mol% of Cu(II) substituting Fe(III), have been prepared by the citrate autocombustion synthesis method and used as heterogeneous photocatalysts for the degradation of 2-propanol in gas-solid regime under simulated solar light irradiation. Bare LaFeO3 resulted inactive, whereas Cu(II) containing perovskites oxidized 2-propanol to propanone, and eventually to CO2 and H2O. The photocatalytic activity of the Cu containing LaFeO3 perovskites increased by increasing the Cu amount up to 10 mol% and hence slightly decreased for higher copper contents. The samples were fully characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman and diffuse reflectance (DRS) spectroscopies, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and photocurrent measurements. The photocatalytic activity was correlated with compositional, structural and morphological features. [Display omitted] •LaFeO3 perovskites bare and 5–40% Cu(II) substituting Fe(III) have been prepared.•The Cu containing materials are active as photocatalysts for 2-propanol oxidation.•The activity increased by increasing the Cu amount until a 10% of Fe substitution.