Nanostructured codoped neodymium orthoferrite synthesized via the hydrothermal route for photocatalytic annihilation of crystal violet dye

Current research demonstrates the synergistic effects of gadolinium (Gd)/copper (Cu) codoping and nanotechnology on various physicochemical and photocatalytic features of neodymium iron oxide (NIO) perovskites. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) studies the synthesis of pure neodymium oxide (NIO-I) and its codoped counterpart (NIO-II) with a perovskite-type crystal structure via simple hydrothermal techniques. Through codoping and nanostructural synthesis, the surface characteristics, as well as the optical, electrical, and optoelectronic properties of the neodymium iron oxide perovskite, were enhanced, as confirmed by Brunner−Emmett−Teller (BET), UV/Vis, current−voltage (I−V), and photoluminescence (PL) studies. In terms of photocatalytic activity, the NIO-II perovskite outperforms its undoped NIO-I counterpart, eliminating 91.8 % of crystal violet (CV) dye in less than 50 min with a rate constant value (k) of 0.019 min⁻¹. However, the undoped counterpart removed 63.8 % of the CV dye, with a comparatively lower rate constant of 0.013 min⁻¹ under the same conditions. Under alkaline conditions, the NIO-II catalyst demonstrates superior efficiency in degrading CV dye; moreover, it maintains an efficiency of 96.8 %, even after undergoing five cycles of reuse. Through the use of rare earth and transition metal codoping, this study reveals a new way to fine-tune the structural and other pertinent properties of semiconductor perovskites, ensuring their practical use for the treatment of polluted water.