Perovskite LaNiO(3)/Ag(3)PO(4) heterojunction photocatalyst for the degradation of dyes

Pristine lanthanum nickelate (LaNiO(3)), silver phosphate (Ag(3)PO(4)) and perovskite lanthanum nickelate silver phosphate composites (LaNiO(3)/Ag(3)PO(4)) were prepared using the facile hydrothermal method. Three composites were synthesized by varying the percentage of LaNiO(3) in Ag(3)PO(4). The physical properties of as-prepared samples were studied by powder X-ray diffraction (pXRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX). Among all synthesized photocatalysts, 5%LaNiO(3)/Ag(3)PO(4) composite has been proved to be an excellent visible light photocatalyst for the degradation of dyes i.e., rhodamine B (RhB) and methyl orange (MO). The photocatalytic activity and stability of Ag(3)PO(4) were also enhanced by introducing LaNiO(3) in Ag(3)PO(4) heterojunction formation. Complete photodegradation of 50 mg/L of RhB and MO solutions using 25 mg of 5%LaNiO(3)/Ag(3)PO(4) photocatalyst was observed in just 20 min. Photodegradation of RhB and MO using 5%LaNiO(3)/Ag(3)PO(4) catalyst follows first-order kinetics with rate constants of 0.213 and 0.1804 min(−1), respectively. Perovskite LaNiO(3)/Ag(3)PO(4) photocatalyst showed the highest stability up to five cycles. The photodegradation mechanism suggests that the holes ( h (+)) and superoxide anion radicals [Formula: see text] plays a main role in the dye degradation of RhB and MO.