Abstract
In this present work, BiOI sensitized zirconia (BiOI-ZrO 2 ) nanoparticles were fabricated using a precipitation-deposition method. The physicochemical characteristics of BiOI/ZrO 2 were studied through X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), BET-surface area, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis-DRS) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy techniques. The absorption maximum of ZrO 2 was shifted to the visible region after sensitization with BiOI. BET-surface area results inferred that the prepared hetero-junctions were meso-porous in nature. The photocatalytic activity of BiOI-ZrO 2 for the degradation of methyl violet (MV) dye under simulated solar light irradiation was investigated in detail. 3% BiOI-ZrO 2 exhibited the highest photocatalytic performance (98% of MV degradation) when compared with ZrO 2 and BiOI. The enhancement in the photocatalytic activity of BiOI-ZrO 2 is ascribed to the sensitization effect of BiOI, suppression of electron-hole recombination and the formation of p-n hetero-junction.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 652-661 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Applied Surface Science |
Volume | 324 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2015 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- BiOI
- Methyl violet
- Photocatalysis
- Solar light
- ZrO