Abstract
The pyrochlore-type (Sr0.6Bi0.305)2Bi2O7 (SBO) containing Bi3+ and Bi5+ mixed valent states was first investigated as a photocatalyst in our very recent work. To further improve the photocatalytic performance, AgBr/SBO heterostructured composites were synthesized by using a deposition-precipitation method. The characterization of phase structure, morphology, microstructure, elemental composition, and optical properties of the obtained products were performed using X-ray diffractometer (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM)TEM, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS). The photocatalytic activity of samples was evaluated by degrading methylene blue under visible light illumination. AgBr/SBO composites possess high stability and significantly enhanced photocatalytic performance. The improvement of photocatalytic activity is due to the enhanced light absorption and the separation of photoinduced electrons and holes on the interface of AgBr/SBO heterostructured composites.
Highlights
The rapid development of industry and the increasing consumption of fossil fuels have given rise to the widespread solicitude for the energy shortage and environmental pollution [1,2,3]
The results clearly show the formation of a heterojunction obviously slower than that of as-synthesized AgBr/SBO catalysts
The pyrochlore-type SBO was first investigated as a photocatalyst considering the fact that it possesses the particular crystal structure and and contains Bi3+ and Bi5+ mixed valent states similar to another Bi-based oxide Bi2 O4 with high photocatalytic degradation efficiency
Summary
The rapid development of industry and the increasing consumption of fossil fuels have given rise to the widespread solicitude for the energy shortage and environmental pollution [1,2,3]. Photocatalysis has been regarded as one of the effective strategies to solve both energy and environment issues, since it can convert solar energy to chemical energy via photochemical reactions and possesses some significant advantages, such as low cost, low temperature depth reaction, simple operation and environmental friendliness [4,5,6]. Bi2 O4 containing Bi3+ and Bi5+ mixed valent states has been found to exhibit higher photocatalytic degradation efficiency than some widely studied photocatalysts [20]. Among Bi-based oxides, (Sr0.6 Bi0.305 ) Bi2 O7 (SBO) containing a small amount of vacancies belongs to one kind of special compounds which possesses the particular cubic pyrochlore-type crystal structure similar to that of Bi2 Sn2 O7 , and contains Bi3+ and Bi5+ mixed valent states
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