Enhancing visible-light photocatalytic activity by strongly binding flake BiFeO₃nanoparticles on graphene sheets

To investigate the influence of graphene on the photocatalytic activity of bismuth ferrite (BiFeO₃), BiFeO₃and flaky BiFeO₃@graphene were prepared through the hydrothermal-synthesis process. The as-prepared particles were characterised by XRD, TGA, SEM, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and PL measurements. The results show that the BiFeO₃nanoparticles have a microstructure and homogeneously attached to graphene sheets. Moreover, the flaky BiFeO₃@graphene composites exhibited higher photocatalytic efficiency than pure BiFeO₃, especially under visible light irradiation. The synergistic effects of graphene and BiFeO₃of composites were proposed to guide the further improvement of their photocatalytic activity.