Enhanced visible light photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B by Bi/Bi2MoO6 hollow microsphere composites

Abstract

Bi/Bi2MoO6 hollow microsphere (BMO-HMS) composites were successfully synthesized via a microwave-assisted reaction of a Bi2MoO6 precursor in an ethylene glycol solution using a microwave synthesis system and subsequent annealing in a nitrogen atmosphere. The morphology, structure and photocatalytic performance of the composites in the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, electrochemical impedance spectra, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and nitrogen adsorption–desorption, respectively. The results show that the BMO-HMS composites exhibit enhanced photocatalytic performance in the degradation of RhB with a maximum degradation rate of 91% under visible light irradiation compared with the pure Bi2MoO6. The improved photocatalytic performance is ascribed to the enhanced light absorption and the reduced electron–hole pair recombination with the presence of Bi in the composites.