Improved photocatalytic activity of Bi4TaO8Cl by Gd3+ doping. Issue 5 (23rd October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Feng, Zaiqiang; Li, Gang; Yuan, Xianjie; Zhang, Zhanzhe; Tang, Mingqi; Zhang, Ruizhu
• Is Part Of: Journal of the American Ceramic Society. Volume 102:Issue 5(2019)
• Page Start: 2390
• Page End: 2397
• Publication Date: 2018-10-23
• Subjects: Bi4TaO8Cl -- Gd3+ doping -- hierarchical structure -- methylene blue -- photocatalysis; Ceramics -- Periodicals; 620.1405
• DOI: 10.1111/jace.16153
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-7820

Abstract

Abstract: Bi4 TaO8 Cl and Bi4 TaO8 Cl:Gd 3+ photocatalysts were synthesized by the solvothermal technique. The phase, microstructure, optical properties, and photocatalytic activities were investigated. Both Bi4 TaO8 Cl and Bi4 TaO8 Cl:Gd 3+ have the singly orthorhombic phase and the flower‐like hierarchical structure. The Bi4 TaO8 Cl:Gd 3+ has higher photocatalytic activity of MB than that of Bi4 TaO8 Cl under visible light irradiation. The higher photocatalytic activity of Bi4 TaO8 Cl:Gd 3+ is induced by its lower band gap energy, the higher efficiency charge separation, and transfer process, as well as the photogenerated charge carriers with a longer time, which are confirmed by the longer absorption band edge, lower emission intensity, and higher photocurrent under visible light irradiation. The trapping experiments and electron spin resonance results suggest that ˙O2 − is the predominant active species for the photocatalysis of MB by Bi4 TaO8 Cl and Bi4 TaO8 Cl:Gd 3+ under visible light irradiation.