Synthesis, structural and morphological characterization of α-Bi2O3 nanostructure for photocatalytic hydrogen production and degradation of organic pollutants

Abstract

This study used a solution combustion approach to develop α-Bi2O3 nanostructure with tunable structural phase and surface morphology for photocatalytic hydrogen production and methylene blue (MB) photodegradation under artificial visible light (50 W LED light). Powder X-ray diffractometer (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), UV–Visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS UV–Vis), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were used to investigate the structural, morphological, and optical properties of the prepared α-Bi2O3 photocatalysts. XRD patterns and FTIR analysis showed excellent crystalline structure and high purity of the prepared samples. SEM images demonstrated the morphological transformation of α-Bi2O3 from nanoball to nanosheet with increasing the fuel and oxidizer ratios. DRS UV–Vis analysis revealed excellent optical properties of the prepared α-Bi2O3 nanostructures. Under 50 W LED light irradiation, the as-prepared α-Bi2O3 demonstrated 92% photodegradation of MB in 30 min and 45 μmol of photocatalytic hydrogen production in one hour. The result indicates a morphological-dependent photocatalytic efficiency. This study paves the way for developing photocatalytic semiconductors with various morphologies via a solution combustion route for efficient photocatalysts.