Abstract
Novel green bismuth oxybromide (BiOBr-G) nanoflowers were successfully synthesized via facile hydrolysis route using an Azadirachta indica (Neem plant) leaf extract and concurrently, without the leaf extract (BiOBr-C). The Azadirachta indica leaf extract was employed as a sensitizer and stabilizer for BiOBr-G, which significantly expanded the optical window and boosted the formation of photogenerated charge carriers and transfer over the BiOBr-G surface. The photocatalytic performance of both samples was investigated for the degradation of methyl orange (MO) and phenol (Ph) under the irradiation of visible light. The leaf extract mediated BiOBr-G photocatalyst displayed significantly higher photocatalytic activity when compared to BiOBr-C for the degradation of both pollutants. The degradation rate of MO and Ph by BiOBr-G was found to be nearly 23% and 16% more when compared to BiOBr-C under visible light irradiation, respectively. The substantial increase in the photocatalytic performance of BiOBr-G was ascribed to the multiple synergistic effects between the efficient solar energy harvesting, narrower band gap, high specific surface area, porosity, and effective charge separation. Furthermore, BiOBr-G displayed high stability for five cycles of photocatalytic activity, which endows its practical application as a green photocatalyst in the long run.
Highlights
Over the years, visible light-driven semiconductors have gained a lot of interest because of their efficient photocatalytic performance and higher stability for the photodegradation of organic pollutants
The method involves the use of Azadirachta indica leaf extract acting as a natural stabilizer and template to reduce the size of nanoplates, enhance the surface area, and inhibition of e− -h+ pairs recombination under visible light irradiation to enhance the photocatalytic performance of BiOBr-G
The surface morphology and elemental analysis of BiOBr-G and BiOBr-C were examined by Zeiss-Sigma VP FESEM, Ostalbkreis, Germay, FEI Technai G2 X-Twin TEM, Malaga, Spain, 200 kV and EDS, Bruker, Coventry, UK
Summary
Visible light-driven semiconductors have gained a lot of interest because of their efficient photocatalytic performance and higher stability for the photodegradation of organic pollutants. The intrinsic crystalline layer and lamellar structure of BiOBr makes it a suitable photocatalyst [15,16,17] Regardless of these superior advantages, the application of bismuth oxybromide is practically limited because of the high recombination of the photogenerated e− -h+ pairs and inadequate light absorption efficiency [18]. One of the most common and important plants, i.e., Azadirachta indica (Neem) has several phytochemicals present in the leaf extract such as flavones, ketones, terpenoids, organic acids, aldehydes, amino acids, etc., which mediates the reduction and stabilization of the metal ions into their corresponding nanostructures [36,37]. The method involves the use of Azadirachta indica leaf extract acting as a natural stabilizer and template to reduce the size of nanoplates, enhance the surface area, and inhibition of e− -h+ pairs recombination under visible light irradiation to enhance the photocatalytic performance of BiOBr-G
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
