The Influence of TiO2 Nanoparticles on LaFeO3/TiO2 Nanocomposites for Reduction of Aqueous Organic Dyes

A series of Lanthanum ferrite (LaFeO3) nanoparticles over titanium dioxide (TiO2) were synthesized using sol-gel method at room temperature by varying the loading of LaFeO3 on TiO2. The magnetic properties of samples were measured using vibrating sample magnetometer and photosonocatalytic activity towards the degradation of methylene blue under light (UV or visible) and ultrasound irradiation was also evaluated. The morphology and structure of the samples were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive analysis and X-ray diffraction. Furthermore the optical properties were also characterized by UV-visible diffuse reflectance. The experimental results showed that the prepared perovskites had sphere-like shape and strong visible light absorption. LaFeO3 demonstrated ferromagnetic properties and the magnetization decreased with the incorporation of TiO2 in the samples. However, the incorporation of TiO2 increased the photosonocatalytic activity and extended the photoresponding to UV light. (paper)