Synthesis and characterization of novel CaFe 2 O 4 /Bi 2 O 3 composite photocatalysts

Abstract Novel CaFe2O4/Bi2O3 composite photocatalysts were prepared via a facile grinding and calcination method and characterized by XRD, TEM, UV–vis and PL analysis, respectively. The photocatalytic activities of the samples were evaluated through photodegradation of malachite green (MG) under visible light. The as-prepared CaFe2O4/Bi2O3 composites showed higher photodegradation activity than that of pure Bi2O3 or CaFe2O4 sample. The enhanced photocatalytic activity could be due to improvement of the separation efficiency of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, which was beneficial for efficient charge carrier transport. The photocatalytic mechanism of the CaFe2O4/Bi2O3 composite was also proposed.