Effect of Bismuth incorporation on Lanthanum Cobaltite nanostructures: Enhanced optical and photocatalytic properties

A series of La1-xBixCoO3 rhombohedral structured perovskite nanostructures were synthesized via sol-gel route and their photocatalytic activity was evaluated using methylene blue (MB) and crystal violet (CV) as a model pollutant. The as-prepared samples were extensively characterized using various techniques. The morphologyand size-dependent photocatalytic degradation of MB and CV was studied under sunlight light irradiation. The maximum degradation efficiency was observed for La0.85Bi0.15CoO3. Photodegradation efficiency of the catalyst were tested against methylene blue (MB) and Crystal violet (CV) exhibits maximum degradation of about 98.5 % MB and 98.9 % CV in 80 min and 60 min, respectively. Furthermore, the effect of various photocatalytic activity of catalyst has been found to be stable after three cycles. The key active species responsible for degradation is found by trapping experiments, the concentration of the dye (10 ppm), and the dosage of the photocatalyst (50 mg L-1), on the photodegradation of MB and CV was investigated to determine the maximum degradation efficiency. The rate constant of La0.85Bi0.15CoO3 towards MB and CV degradation were 2.91 x 10-3 and 4.35 x 10-3 min-1, respectively. This work attempts to develop an efficient photocatalyst towards degradation of environmental pollutants.