Visible Light Photocatalytic Degradation of Sunset Yellow Dye and Industrial Textile Wastewater Using Pd-BiFeO3 Composite

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title>
<jats:p>Herein, pristine BiFeO<jats:sub>3</jats:sub> and Pd-incorporated BiFeO<jats:sub>3</jats:sub> (Pd-BiFeO<jats:sub>3</jats:sub>) composite were synthesized using hydrothermal synthesis method. The physiochemical and optical properties of the synthesized materials were investigated using numerous techniques. The Pd-BiFeO<jats:sub>3</jats:sub> composite significantly enhanced the photocatalytic degradation of sunset yellow (SSY) dye in comparison with the pristine BiFeO<jats:sub>3</jats:sub> under visible light irradiation. The enhanced photoactivity was credited to the improved photogenerated charge carrier separation, which was in accordance with the photoelectrochemical measurements. Moreover, the Pd-BiFeO<jats:sub>3</jats:sub> composite can be recycled for seven consecutive runs without sufficient loss of photocatalytic activity. Radical trapping studies suggested that the hydroxyl radical (•OH), hydrogen peroxide (H<jats:sub>2</jats:sub>O<jats:sub>2</jats:sub>) and hole (<jats:italic>h+</jats:italic>) were the key reactive oxidizing species. A possible photocatalytic enhancement mechanism of Pd-BiFeO<jats:sub>3</jats:sub> composite was stated. Finally, for the first time, the Pd-BiFeO<jats:sub>3</jats:sub> composite was also applied towards the effective degradation of industrial textile wastewater.</jats:p>