Enhancement of Photocatalytic Activity in BiFeO3 Nanoparticles through Electrical Polarization

This study investigates the enhancement of photocatalytic properties in BiFeO₃ nanoparticles through an additional electrical polarization (poling) pretreatment process. BiFeO₃, a promising multiferroic material with a narrow bandgap of ≈2. 12 eV, is well-suited forvisible light-driven photocatalysis. However, its photocatalytic efficiency isoften limited by insufficient photogenerated charge availability. To address this, a poling process was employed to align the ferroelectric domains within BiFeO₃ nanoparticles, improving charge separation and enhancing photocatalytic activity. The findings reveal that the poling process preserves the intrinsic bandgap of BiFeO₃, maintaining its visible light absorption capability. Steady-state photoluminescence spectroscopy shows a marked increase in the intensity in poling-treated samples, indicating enhanced charge carrier generation. Photo degradation experiments using Indigo dye as a model pollutant demonstrate that poling-treated BiFeO₃ achieves a remarkable photodegradation efficiency of 99%, compared to 56% for untreated BiFeO₃. Additionally, the poling-treated BiFeO₃ retains 65% of its initial efficiency after four cycles, highlighting its durability for sustained environmental applications. This study underscores the effectiveness of poling in enhancing the photocatalytic performance of BiFeO₃ nanoparticles, providing valuable insights into the development of efficient photocatalysts via domain engineering for environmental purification technologies.