Preparation of a novel Bi 3.64Mo 0.36O 6.55 nanophotocatalyst by molten salt method and evaluation for photocatalytic decomposition of rhodamine B

Abstract

Bismuth molybdate (Bi 3.64Mo 0.36O 6.55) powders as a novel photocatalyst was prepared using Bi(NO 3) 3·5H 2O and Na 2MoO 4·2H 2O as raw materials by a simple low temperature molten salt method at 160 °C for 2 h. The as-prepared samples were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV–visible (UV–vis) absorption spectra. The photocatalytic activity of Bi 3.64Mo 0.36O 6.55(BMO) nanocrystals was evaluated using the photocatalytic oxidation of rhodamine B (RhB) at room temperature under ultraviolet irradiation. The factors affecting the photocatalytic activity, such as photocatalysts concentration, RhB concentration and compressed air as the assisted oxidant species additives, had been studied.