Original scientific paper
Effect of the pH Value of Synthesis Conditions on the Phase Structure and Photocatalytic Properties of Bismuth Molybdates Synthesized Using a Hydrothermal Method
Wenfeng Guo
; Hebei Key Laboratory of Applied Chemistry, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao, P. R. China; State Key Laboratory of Metastable Materials Science and Technology, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao, P. R. China
Heping Li
; Hebei Key Laboratory of Applied Chemistry, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao, P. R. China
Weixiu Teng
; Hebei Key Laboratory of Applied Chemistry, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao, P. R. China
Linfan Cui
; Hebei Key Laboratory of Applied Chemistry, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao, P. R. China
Tifeng Jiao
; Hebei Key Laboratory of Applied Chemistry, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao, P. R. China; State Key Laboratory of Metastable Materials Science and Technology, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao, P. R. China; N
Abstract
Bismuth molybdate single-crystallites were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method at different pH values. The as-fabricated samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM); it has been found that the pH values of the precursors can significantly influence the structures of the products. Under the Bi/Mo ratio of 2:1 conditions (a nominal composition of Aurivillius structure), low pH leads to the formation of γ-Bi2MoO6 with Aurivillius type structure, while neutral and higher pH values lead to the formation of γ-Bi2MoO6/Bi2O3 composite, and Bi2O3, respectively. The photocatalytic activities of the samples with different structures were measured for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under simulated sunlight irradiation. Among the as-fabricated bismuth molybdate samples, the γ-Bi2MoO6 exhibited superior photocatalytic efficiency to the γ-Bi2MoO6/Bi2O3 composite and the Bi2O3, mainly due to its unique layered Aurivillius structure, smaller band gap structures and smaller particle sizes.
Keywords
γ-Bi2MoO6; Aurivillius structure; photocatalytic activity; methylene blue (MB); pH values
Hrčak ID:
157543
URI
Publication date:
1.1.2015.
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