A Visible Light-Driven Zn/Cr-LaFeO3 Nanocomposite with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity towards H2 Production and RhB Degradation

We have studied the effect of Zn-Cr layered double hydroxide (LDH) on LafeO(3). LaFeO3 (LFO) decorated Zn-Cr layered double hydroxide (LDHLFO) nanocomposites was successfully synthesized. As compare to the neat LFO and LDH, the LDHLFO shows enhanced absorption of visible light and improvement in electron-hole separation efficiency. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) peak of the LDH shifted slightly towards lower angle and merged with the LFO peak indicating increase in the basal plane spacing. Moreover, introduction of LDH to LaFeO3 shows higher photocurrent value than that of neat LFO and LDH exhibiting higher photocatalytic activity towards organic pollutant degradation and water reduction reaction under visible light irradiation. The LDHLFO nanocomposite showed about 3.8 and 4.1 times higher H-2 evolution, 8.7 and 7.9 times higher Rhodamine B degradation than that of pure LaFeO3 and LDH respectively. The possible mechanism for both water reduction and dye degradation reaction was prudently examined by electron scavenger test.