Flower-like Bi0/CeO2−δ plasmonic photocatalysts with enhanced visible-light-induced photocatalytic activity for NO removal

Abstract

Plasmonic bismuth (Bi0) nanoparticle-decorated flower-like CeO2−δ (Bi0/CeO2−δ) photocatalysts with abundant oxygen vacancies (OVs) were synthesized via a solvothermal method. The OVs can not only improve the separation of electron-hole pairs, but also facilitate the adsorption and activation of gas molecules (NO/O2). In addition, the Bi0 nanoparticles can enhance the visible light response and prevent the recombination of charge carriers by virtue of the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect, achieving an excellent ability for NO elimination and NO2 inhibition under visible light irradiation. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirm that the Schottky barrier between Bi0 and CeO2−δ accompanied with the OVs are pivotal for the migration of photogenerated charge carriers to involve in the photocatalytic NO removal. Trapping experiments and in situ FTIR spectroscopy were conducted to explore the mechanism of the photocatalytic NO removal, suggesting that the photocatalytic NO removal can be significantly enhanced by introducing abundant OVs and the involvement of Bi0 metal nanoparticles.