Structural and Photocatalytic Analysis of Mn and Gd in BFO

Abstract

Bismuth ferrite (BiFeO$_3$) has attracted significant attention due to its wide range of potential applications. In the present work, rare-earth (Gd) and transition-metal (Mn) are codoped in bismuth ferrite. Bi$_{1-x}$Gd$_x$Fe$_{1-y}$Mn$_y$O$_3$ samples with doping concentrations ($x, y = 0$, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20) were synthesized using a modified sol--gel auto-combustion method. The samples were finely ground using an agate mortar and pestle and subsequently annealed at 550$^\circ$C for 2~h in air using a muffle furnace. XRD analysis indicates the formation of a rhombohedral crystal structure with space group R3c. The morphological characteristics of the samples were examined using (FESEM). The photocatalytic performance of pure and co-doped BFO samples was evaluated using a solar lamp simulator. The results demonstrate enhanced photocatalytic activity for Mn and Gd co-doped BFO compared to pure BFO, attributed to improved charge separation and modified electronic structure induced by co-doping.