Microwave-assisted synthesis of nanocrystalline YFeO3 and study of its photoactivity

Using nitrate precursors, a novel microwave-assisted progress for the preparation of nanocrystalline pure YFeO3 phase has been developed. Synthesis of perovskite YFeO3 has been achieved with carbon to enhance microwave absorption, polyvinyl alcohol as inhibitor and urea as homogeneous precipitator. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, Fourier transform infrared absorption (FTIR), N2 adsorption, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV–visible diffuse reflection spectroscopy (UV–vis DRS). Photocatalytic activity for the degradation of orange II in water under visible light irradiation shows that perovskite YFeO3 is superior to TiO2 (P-25). Oxygen vacancies of the perovskite sample may explain its high activity. Effects of microwave irradiation time and calcination temperature on the phase structure of the product were also studied.