Rare earth substituted nanocrystalline LaFeO3 perovskites and their composites with reduced graphene oxide for enhanced photocatalytic and other potential applications

The La(1-A)AFeO(3) (A = Gd, Nd and Dy) nanoparticles were successfully prepared via micro-emulsion route. All the prepared nanoparticles were successfully characterized by various conventional techniques such as x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) etc. The grain size estimated from SEM image of the LaFeO3 nanoparticles is between 50-161 nm. The lanthanide doped LaFeO3 nanoparticles were subjected to dielectric behavior evaluation. The dielectric studies showed the improved dielectric behavior of Lanthanide-doped LaFeO3 nanoparticles. Reduced graphene oxide was prepared via modified chemical route (Hummer's method). The prepared reduced graphene oxide was utilized to make the nanocomposites with as-prepared nanoparticles. The photocatalytic activity of LaFeO3 nanoparticles and their composites with reduced graphene oxide was evaluated in the presence of visible light. Methylene blue was used as model organic compound for the photocatalysis studies. The UV-visible spectra of methylene blue recorded at various intervals showed the good photocatalytic activity of LaFeO3-reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites.