Structure, magnetic, and photocatalysis of La0.7Sr0.3MO3 (M = Mn, Co, and Fe) perovskite nanoparticles: Novel photocatalytic materials

Abstract

Abstract The present study, La0.7Sr0.3MO3 (M = Mn-, Co-, and Fe-), perovskite, has successfully been synthesized via co-precipitation and sol–gel auto-combustion. XRD, SEM, and EDX characterized the prepared samples. XRD and SEM showed that the as-prepared La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 and La0.7Sr0.3CoO3 have multiphase. La0.7Sr0.3FeO3, in comparison, is nanosized, has a single-phase perovskite, and has a rather homogenous particle size distribution. Additionally, EDX mapping analysis shows that all pieces are distributed uniformly. According to X-ray diffractometer results, all calcined powders contain 100% LSF, more than 15% perovskite phase of LSC, 47% LSM, and other secondary phases, such as cobalt oxide. Aِt room temperature and magnetic field of ± 20 kG, La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 exhibited weak ferromagnetic behavior in a low magnetic field, whereas diamagnetic behavior was seen in a high magnetic field. La0.7Sr0.3FeO3 samples behave as strong ferromagnetic. On the contrary, the photodegradation of La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 is 99% compared to 75% and 91% for other samples under UVC lights of wavelength = 254 nm. The degradation rate for La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 is 0.179 higher, about 3.25 and 2.23, than the other samples. A La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 nanocomposite performs as a photocatalyst to enhance the efficiency of methylene blue photodegradation. This study boosts good UVC photocatalysts with high efficiency for different kinds of dyes. Hence, the catalyst possessed high stability and efficiency for continuous wastewater treatment.