Synthesis and visible light photocatalytic properties of Bi2Fe4O9 particles via EDTA-assisted sol-gel route

Submicron Bi2Fe4O9 particles could be obtained by applying a modified sol-gel synthesis at the temperature of 650 A degrees C, with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as chelating agent. SEM images showed that morphology and grain size of the as-prepared powders were influenced by calcination temperature. Bi2Fe4O9 pure phase could be controlled by adjusting the amount of EDTA. Correspondingly, the crystal growth and morphology evolution mechanism in the reactions were discussed. Additionally, the photocatalytic properties of the particles were explored. The Bi2Fe4O9 particles synthesized with 5 mmol EDTA showed the highest photocatalytic activity toward methyl orange and rhodamine-B degradation under visible light irradiation, the degradation rate could be as high as 93 and 99 % in 3 h with the aid of H2O2, respectively.