Synthesis and characterization of Bi2O3/NaBiO3 composite visible light-driven photocatalyst

Monoclinic Bi2O3 and Bi2O3/NaBiO3 composite visible light-driven photocatalysts were synthesized through simple processes. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDX), UV-vis Spectrometer and Photoluminescence spectra (PL) were used to characterize the samples. Their photocatalytic activity was evaluated by using malachite green as the model pollutant. The peanut-like composite showed larger band gap energy and smaller absorbance edge than Bi2O3, but its photocatalytic activity was higher than Bi2O3, which may be attributed to its smaller grain size, less agglomeration and better charge carrier separation. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.