Dynamic charge transfer through Fermi level equilibration in the p-CuFe2O4/n-NiAl LDH interface towards photocatalytic application

To ensure effective charge transfer dynamics at the interface of a double semiconductor system, a set of p-n heterojunction (p-CuFe2O4/n-NiAl-LDH) photocatalysts with varying LDH content was successfully designed through the co-precipitation method. The existence of strong coulombic interactions between the OH(-)ions present on the surface of the LDH and the defect sites of CuFe(2)O(4)were characterized by various instrumental techniques. The p-type and n-type behaviours of the semiconductors were confirmed from antidirectional asymmetric photocurrent measurements. The close interaction between the n-type NiAl LDH and p-type CuFe(2)O(4)has been confirmed from the XRD, XPS and HRTM analysis. The visible light induced photocatalytic performances of the synthesized photocatalysts were investigated for Cr(vi) reduction and H(2)evolution. The excellent photocatalytic activity of 50% NiAl LDH-CuFO was observed;i.e.Cr(vi) (93%) reduction at 20 ppm/1 h and H-2(345.76 mu mol h(-1)) evolution were 6.24 and 3.78 times higher, respectively, as compared to neat NiAl LDH under solar light irradiation. This view point of the rational design of NiAl-LDH/CuFe(2)O(4)photocatalyst has potential as a promising material in its contribution towards energy and environment.