Characterization and photocatalytic activity of Y-doped BiFeO3 ceramics prepared by solid-state reaction method

Singe phase bismuth ferrite doped by yttrium (Bi_1?xY_xFeO₃, x = 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2 and 0.25) was synthesized by solid-state reaction followed by sintering. Their structural, morphological, ferroelectric, magnetic and optical properties were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and UV–visible spectrophotometry. Rhombohedrally-distorted perovskite structure of bismuth ferrite was confirmed by XRD analysis and Rietveld refinement. Microstrain and crystallite size were analyzed using Williamson-Hall model. SEM micrographs showed agglomerated particles. The doping of yttrium into the BiFeO₃ (BFO) lattice enhanced the ferroelectric and magnetic properties and the leakage current density was reduced. The energy band gap was also decreased by increasing yttrium content, leading to an enhancement of light absorption capability. The photocatalytic activity of all samples has been evaluated by the decolorization of methyl orange (MO) under visible light irradiation. The results indicated that increasing the concentration of yttrium into the BiFeO₃ (BFO) structure improved the photodegradation up to 71%.