Photocatalytic degradation of dyes and organics with nanosized GdCoO₃

Abstract

GdCoO₃ nanoparticles with sizes of 3, 12, and 200 nm were prepared from single source mixed-metal organic framework (MOF) precursor, [Gd(H₂O)₃Co {C₅N₁H₃(COO)₂}₃]. The photocatalytic degradation studies, carried out for the first time in the presence of nanosized GdCoO₃ oxides, on dyes, phenols, and substituted phenols indicate favorable activity. The intermediates formed during the photocatalytic reactions were analyzed, and possible reaction mechanisms have been proposed. The results of the present study indicate that the degradation appear to be faster in the presence of 3 nm GdCoO₃ compared to P-25 Degussa TiO₂ catalyst. The reduced formation of unwanted intermediates in the presence of GdCoO₃ indicates that this material would prove to be a good photocatalyst in environmental photocatalysis.