Design and structural of Sm-doped SbFeO3 nanopowders and immobilized on poly(ethylene oxide) for efficient photocatalysis and hydrogen generation under visible light irradiation

Abstract In this study, the samarium doped SbFeO3 nanoparticles/poly (ethylene oxide) was prepared via the hydrothermal and chemical technique. The prepared materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering and UV–visible spectroscopy analysis. Photocatalysis degradation studies are conducted for methyl orange dye and benzene degradation by using the prepared materials in aqueous solution under sunlight irradiation. The degradation efficiency of methyl orange and benzene were 99.23%, and 93.87%, respectively. The solar degradation of the organic compounds indicated the substantial performance of Sm-SbFeO3/poly (ethylene oxide) photocatalyst rather than using the pure SFO nanoparticles. The performance of Sm-SbFeO3/poly (ethylene oxide) was examined for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. The H2 production rate of were 76.74 µmol g−1 h−1.