Photocatalytic properties of Bi2MoO6 nanoparticles prepared by an amorphous complex precursor

Nanoparticles of Bi2MoO6 have been synthesized using an amorphous complex precursor. The evolution of the oxide was followed by TGA/ DTA. XRD and TEAZ in order to investigate the formation process, crystal structure and morphology of synthesized samples. The effects of calcination temperature on the morphology, surface area and properties of Bi2MoO6 nanoparticles have been investigated in detail. The photocatalytic activity of Bi2MoO6 nanoparticles was evaluated by degradation of rhodamine B molecules in water under visible light irradiation. The photocatalyst evaluation criteria involved the photocatalytic properties of samples at different calcination temperatures. The kinetic degradation of rhodamine B followed a first order reaction with k = 2.2 x 10(-2) min(-1) and t(1/2) = 31.6 min for the best material obtained. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.