Nd₂O₃-Decorated BiFeO₃ Nanoplates for Efficient Hydrogen Production via Photocatalytic Water Splitting

This study investigates the enhancement of photocatalytic activity for hydrogen production through the incorporation of neodymium oxide (Nd 2 O 3 ) into bismuth ferrite (BiFeO 3 ) nanoplates, positioning photocatalytic water splitting as a promising and sustainable hydrogen production method. The Nd 2 O 3 -decorated BiFeO 3 nanoplates were synthesized via a facile sol–gel method followed by calcination at 500 °C, resulting in a nanocomposite structure characterized by enhanced light absorption and charge separation capabilities. Comprehensive characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), and UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, were employed to confirm the successful incorporation of Nd 2 O 3 onto the BiFeO 3 nanoplates and to elucidate their structural, morphological, and optical properties. The photocatalytic performance was rigorously evaluated under visible light irradiation, demonstrating a significant enhancement in hydrogen evolution rates─specifically, an increase by a factor of 2 compared to the individual components. The superior photocatalytic activity is attributed to the synergistic effects of Nd 2 O 3, which effectively minimizes the recombination of photogenerated electron–hole pairs and enhances surface reaction kinetics. This assertion is corroborated by in-depth photoelectrochemical measurements, including electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy (TCSPC), providing insights into the charge transfer mechanisms and the origin of the enhanced photocatalytic activity. This study highlights the potential of Nd 2 O 3 -decorated BiFeO 3 nanoplates as efficient photocatalysts for water splitting, contributing to the development of sustainable hydrogen production pathways and advancing the field of solar-to-chemical energy conversion.