Xun Li Zeng-Qiang Duan. Synthesis of GdFeO3 microspheres assembled by nanoparticles as magnetically recoverable and visible-light-driven photocatalysts. Materials Letters 2012 89(15): 262–265.

Abstract

GdFeO₃ microspheres were synthesized by a hydrothermal method followed by calcination. Citrate acid and ethylene glycol were found to be key factors to the purity and the surface morphology of the GdFeO₃ microspheres. UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectrum shows that the products have broad absorption in visible-light region whereas the magnetic measurement indicates the products show weak ferromagnetic behavior and can be easily separated from the suspension by a magnet. The photocatalytic experiment demonstrates that the prepared GdFeO₃ microspheres exhibit well and stable photocatalytic activity for decomposition of 4-chlorophenol under visible-light irradiation which is ascribed to their porous structures as well as narrow optical band gap.