Magnetic Properties and Photocatalytic Behavior of Co Co-doped BiFeO3:Er

The multiferroic materials Bi0.95Er0.05Fe1-xCox O-3 (x = 0, 0.01, 0.03, and 0.05) are synthesized by solvothermal method. X-ray diffraction pattern is used to confirm the formation of rhombohedral crystal structure. TEM images show agglomerated nanosize particles. With the concentration of Co, a red shift is observed in the charge transfer transition of O-2p-Fe-3d band and band gap decreases. At higher concentration of Co, the saturation magnetization enhances and coercivity also varies with the concentration of Co. The photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue is evaluated under the visible light with the assistance of H2O2. With the increase in Co concentration, the photocatalytic activity decreases. The main species responsible for the degradation is found out using scavengers like ammonium oxalate, silver nitrate, p-benzoquinone, and tert-butyl-alcohol. The possible mechanism for the degradation of dye is explained.