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Rapid preparation of α, β-Bi2O3 and α/β-Bi2O3 heterojunction with enhanced photocatalytic properties

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Abstract

α-Bi2O3 and β-Bi2O3 nanoparticles were selectively synthesized via one-step solution combustion synthesis (SCS) using bismuth nitrate (Bi(NO3)3·5H2O) as the oxidant and tartaric acid (C4H6O6) as the fuel, and α/β-Bi2O3 heterojunction was rapidly prepared by treating SCS β-Bi2O3 powders with NaOH solution. The physical and chemical properties of as-prepared samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, PL, and UV-vis techniques. The formation of α/β-Bi2O3 heterojunction can be proven by TEM, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra, and PL spectra results. The band gap energies of α-Bi2O3, β-Bi2O3, and α/β-Bi2O3 measured by UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra were estimated to be about 2.9, 2.48, and 2.7 eV, respectively. The PL spectra of α/β-Bi2O3 heterojunction showed higher efficiency of charge separation and transfer across the α–β phase junction than those of α-Bi2O3 and β-Bi2O3, leading to the enhancement of photocatalytic activity. The synthesized α/β-Bi2O3 heterojunction can degrade 86% of rhodamin B (RhB) after 180 min under visible-light irradiation, better than those of pure α-Bi2O3 (24%, 180 min) and pure β-Bi2O3 (60%, 180 min). Consequently, α/β-Bi2O3 heterojunction is a promising photocatalyst, which can be easily prepared by SCS and post-treatment of NaOH solution.

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Funding

This work was supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (2017XKQY006).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Materials Science and Engineering, China University of Ming and Technology, Xuzhou, 221116, People’s Republic of China

    Xiaoni Du, Yang Liu, Xiaohong Wang, Jingqing Feng & Chaofei Ren

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  1. Xiaoni Du
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  2. Yang Liu
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  3. Xiaohong Wang
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  4. Jingqing Feng
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  5. Chaofei Ren
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Correspondence to Xiaohong Wang.

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Du, X., Liu, Y., Wang, X. et al. Rapid preparation of α, β-Bi2O3 and α/β-Bi2O3 heterojunction with enhanced photocatalytic properties. J Aust Ceram Soc 55, 71–76 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41779-018-0212-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41779-018-0212-5

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