Efficient CO₂ conversion and organic pollutants degradation over Sm³⁺ doped and rutile TiO₂ nanorods decorated-GdFeO₃ nanorods

In this research work, the Sm³⁺ incorporated and rutile TiO₂ nanorods coupled-GdFeO₃ nanorods based nanocomposites are successfully prepared and gaged their visible-light photocatalytic activities for CO₂ conversion and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol degradation. To this end, our investigation proved, that GdFeO₃ and TiO₂ nanorods have a wide surface area, high surface-to-volume values, and improved photocatalytic activities as compared to GdFeO₃ and TiO₂ nanoparticles respectively. Furthermore, the rutile TiO₂ nanorods have significant performances as compared to anatase TiO₂ nanorods. Based on our experimental and Ab initio approach, it is confirmed that the synergistic doping of Sm³⁺ interestingly elongated the visible light absorption proficiency via molding surface status and amending the band gap positions. Right after the coupling of rutile TiO₂ nanorods performed the dual function of upgrading the charge separation by receiving HLEEs and activating the surface for CO₂ adsorption via the photoelectron modulation approach. In contrast to pristine GdFeO₃ nanorods, the optimal 4Sm-(GFONR) and 6RT/4Sm-(GFONR) samples showed efficient visible light activities for CO₂ conversion and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol degradation. Fruitfully, our experiential investigations are consistent with the Ab initio and theoretical studies. Finally, our current novel findings will provide new feasible routes to synthesize morphology-based GdFeO₃ photocatalysts for CO₂ conversion and environmental remediation.