High surface area magnetic double perovskite La2AlFeO6 as an efficient and stable photo-Fenton catalyst under a wide pH range

Photo-Fenton process is an efficient way to treat the organic pollutants in wastewater. However, the efficiency is limited by serious leaching of iron ions, separation of spent catalyst from reaction system for facile recycling, acidic reaction environment (pH＜4). Herein, a novel double perovskite photocatalyst La2AlFeO6 with high surface area was developed to counter these issues. By altering complexing agents, iron ion content discrepancy and B’-O-B” varies in La2AlFeO6 led to a high surface Fe3+ ratio and an excellent magnetic property. >98.4% of phenol could be degraded in a wide pH range over La2AlFeO6 because of the high surface Fe3+ ratio and promotion of generated ·OH, ·O2– and 1O2. The excellent magnetic property would contribute to separate catalyst from water, and led the used La2AlFeO6 to be reused after simple deionized water rinsing and air drying without any further treatment or calcination.