Construction of NdFeO3 nanoparticles on reduced graphene oxide for an enhanced visible light assisted-Fenton degradation of organic pollutant in oily wastewater

In this study, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) incorporated on NdFeO3  (NFO/rGO) nanocomposite was successfully synthesized by using a facile hydrothermal method for photo-Fenton degradation of phenol in oily wastewater. The structural, elemental, morphological, optical property, and photo-Fenton performance of NFO/rGO nanocomposite were evaluated. From the characterizations, the prepared NFO/rGO nanocomposite showed a heterostructure between reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and NdFeO3. In addition, the prepared NFO/rGO photocatalyst has efficient charge separation compared to that of pure NFO. The photo-Fenton catalytic activity of the NFO/rGO photocatalyst was investigated by phenol degradation under visible light irradiation, with a maximum removal efficiency of 94.3 % after 90 min. In contrast to pure NFO, the introduction of rGO could suggestively enhance the photo-Fenton catalytic activity by increasing the specific surface area and narrow band gap energy. The possible reaction mechanism was also discussed.