Enhancement in the photocatalytic activity of Bi2Ti2O7 nanopowders synthesised via Pechini vs Co-Precipitation method. Issue 16 (November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kumar, Vishesh; Sharma, Rishabh; Kumar, Sushil; Kaur, Manpreet; Sharma, J.D.
• Is Part Of: Ceramics international. Volume 45:Issue 16(2019)
• Page Start: 20386
• Page End: 20395
• Publication Date: 2019-11
• Subjects: Bi2Ti2O7 -- Pechini -- Co-precipitation -- Photocatalyst -- Reitveld refinement; Ceramics -- Periodicals; Céramique industrielle -- Périodiques; Ceramics; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 666
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2019.07.015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0272-8842

Abstract

Abstract: Bi2 Ti2 O7 nanopowders were synthesised via two different methods i.e. Pechini (P) and Co-Precipitation (C) method by annealing at 550 °C for 16 h. The effect of synthesis technique on photocatalytic activity of Bi2 Ti2 O7 nanopowders was extensively studied. Formation of pure Bi2 Ti2 O7 pyrochlore phase was observed in both samples. Various crystallographic parameters obtained by reitveld analysis of X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) spectra of both samples infer the formation of a highly loose crystallographic structure in P sample. The smaller crystallite size of P sample correlates with the observed blue shift in the Raman spectra, furthermore decreasing the particle size in P sample. P sample exhibits higher specific surface area, mean pore diameter and total pore volume which is inferred by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis. Higher photocatalytic activity of P sample can be attributed to the formation of distorted crystallographic structure and higher specific surface area. Graphical abstract: Image 1