Controlled synthesis of bismuth-containing compounds (α-, β- and δ-Bi2O3, Bi5O7NO3 and Bi6O6(OH)2(NO3)4·2H2O) and their photocatalytic performance. Issue 47 (10th November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gong, Shu; Han, Qiaofeng; Wang, Xin; Zhu, Junwu
• Is Part Of: CrystEngComm. Volume 17:Issue 47(2015)
• Page Start: 9185
• Page End: 9192
• Publication Date: 2015-11-10
• Subjects: Crystals -- Periodicals; Crystal growth -- Periodicals; Crystallography -- Periodicals; Cristaux -- Périodiques; Cristaux -- Croissance -- Périodiques; Cristallographie -- Périodiques; 548
• DOI: 10.1039/c5ce01787d
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1466-8033

Abstract

Abstract : A series of bismuth-containing compounds including α-, β- and δ-Bi2 O3, Bi5 O7 NO3 and Bi6 O6 (OH)2 (NO3 )4 ·2H2 O could be easily prepared by varying the base and solvent. Abstract : Basic bismuth nitrate (Bi6 O6 (OH)2 (NO3 )4 ·2H2 O; BiON), α- and δ-Bi2 O3, or Bi5 O7 NO3 and β-Bi2 O3 were synthesized from Bi(NO3 )3 ·5H2 O using a facile solution crystallization route or a subsequent calcination procedure by adjusting growth parameters such as the base and solvent. When hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) was used as a base, distorted hexagonal BiON prisms could be prepared in a mixed solution of 2-methoxyethanol (EM) and H2 O (pH range 2.5–6), whereas δ-Bi2 O3 nanosheets would be obtained if ethylene glycol (EG) instead of EM (pH ≈ 6) was used. The addition of NH3 ·H2 O as a base led to the formation of amorphous nanoparticles in EG–H2 O (pH ≈ 6) and EM–H2 O (pH range 6–9) solutions or amorphous nanotubes in H2 O (pH ≈ 9) solution, which completely converted into highly crystalline β-Bi2 O3 nanoparticles or Bi5 O7 NO3 nanoplates upon calcination at 300, 350 or 400 °C for 2 h, respectively. Analogous to previous work, NaOH as a base in H2 O or NaOH/EM–H2 O solution (pH > 13) induced the formation of α-Bi2 O3 . The studies of the photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared samples indicated that δ-Bi2 O3 nanosheets and Bi5 O7 NO3 nanoplates exhibited the highest degradation efficiency for Rhodamine (RhB) under visible light irradiation due to their sheet or plate-like morphology and the associated high surface areas.