Abstract
Gd2O3 has been selected as host material for optical studies due to its good chemical, photothermal, and photochemical stabilities. A series of (Gd1-xBix)2O3 (x = 0.03, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5) samples were obtained via coprecipitation method. The samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) combined with selected area electron diffraction (SAED), BET surface area method, UV-visible (UV–vis) absorption spectra and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The crystalline-to-amorphous phase transformation was found with higher concentration of Bi3+ incorporation. The dependence of Bi3+ concentration on the upconversion/downconversion luminescence intensity were investigated and the photocatalytic activity of the synthesized samples was also evaluated by the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) dye in aqueous solution under visible light irradiations. The samples (Gd0.5Bi0.5)2O3 exhibited better photocatalytic activity for RhB degradation than Gd2O3 and Bi2O3 due to phase transformation, modified band structures and higher surface area.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
