Fabrication of nanocrystalline LaFeO3: An efficient sol–gel auto-combustion assisted visible light responsive photocatalyst for water decomposition

Synthesis of nano photocatalysts, LaFeO3 with orthorhombic perovskite structure by sol–gel auto-combustion method was demonstrated. The samples were characterized by PXRD, SEM, HRTEM, XPS and optical absorption studies. Photocatalytic water decomposition over LaFeO3 nanoparticles activated at various temperatures without any co-catalyst were investigated under visible light irradiation (λ >> 420 nm). Highest amount of H2 and O2 evolved in 180 min over the LaFeO3 activated at 500 °C was recorded to be 1290 μmol and 640 μmol, respectively having apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) 8.07%. The pronounced activity of nano LaFeO3 samples towards water decomposition was consistent with BET-surface area and particle size analyses.