Effect of Fe and Bi doping on LaCoO3 structural, magnetic, electric and catalytic properties

Abstract

La1-xBixCo1-yFeyO3 perovskite was prepared by micro-emulsion method and effect of the Fe and Bi doping on the properties of perovskite was investigated. As-prepared perovskite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques. La1-xBixCo1-yFeyO3 perovskite showed distorted rhombohedral structure and particle size was in the range of 33.05–57.41 nm. Doping of perovskite with Bi and Fe enhanced the direct current (DC) resistivity. Dielectric parameters were studied in the range of 20 to 20 MHz and vibrating magnetometery revealed that the Mr and Ms values were higher for La0.75Bi0.25Co0.75Fe0.25O3, whereas LaCoO3 showed higher value of Hc. Photocatalytic activity (PCA) was evaluated by degrading congo red dye and Bi and Fe doped perovskite showed significantly higher activity versus LaCoO3. Results revealed that the doping of LaCoO3 with Bi and Fe enhanced the magnetic, dielectric and catalytic properties of LaCoO3. Keywords: LaCoO3 perovskite, Bi and Fe doping, Characterization, Properties, Photocatalysis