Structure, morphology and opto-magnetic properties of Bi2MoO6 nano-photocatalyst synthesized by sol–gel method

Abstract

Bismuth molybdate (Bi2MoO6) nano-particles (NPs) were synthesized using bismuth nitrate, ammonium molybdate, citric acid and ethyl cellulose by a simple sol–gel method. The structure, morphology, opto-magnetic and photocatalytic properties of the obtained powder were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra, high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS), photoluminescence (PL) spectra and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) techniques. The XRD, FT-IR and EDX results indicate that the resultant powder is pure and single phase crystalline Bi2MoO6 with orthorhombic structure. The HRSEM image shows that the morphology of obtained powder consists with well defined nano-particles structure. The VSM results show superparamagnetic behavior of the obtained nano-particles. The photocatalytic activity of Bi2MoO6 nano-particles was performed. The addition of TiO2 catalyst enhances the photocatalytic activity of Bi2MoO6 nano-particles. The catalysts Bi2MoO6, TiO2 and mixed oxide catalyst Bi2MoO6–TiO2 nano-composites (NCs) were tested for the photocatalytic degradation (PCD) of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP). It is found that the PCD efficiency of Bi2MoO6–TiO2 NCs is higher than that of pure Bi2MoO6 and TiO2 catalysts.