Visible Light Photocatalytic Inactivation by Bi-based Photocatalysts

Abstract

During the past decades, photocatalytic process has emerged as a promising alternative strategy for water treatment owning to its wide application in solar energy conversion and environmental remediation. Particularly, bismuth compounds have received remarkable attention as efficient photocatalysts for inactivation of bacteria due to their low cost, excellent photocatalytic activity, and chemical stability. This chapter summarizes the recent advances in the synthesis and photocatalytic inactivation activities of bismuth oxides and oxyhalides, bismuth metallates, plasmonic-bismuth compounds, and other bismuth composite photocatalysts. Emphasis is placed on the enhanced photocatalytic activity of the bismuth compounds which is affected by their crystallinity, microstructure, band gap, morphology, and particle size. Meanwhile, the bacterial inactivation process and mechanism are discussed in detail.