Visible light photocatalytic properties of Bi2O3 modified BiPO4 nanorod composite photocatalyst

BiPO4 nanorod composite photocatalyst with controllable morphology was synthesized by using Bi2S3 nanorods as a template. This composite catalyst exhibited excellent photocatalytic performance for methylene blue (MB) degradation under visible light irradiation. UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy results showed that the Bi2O3 modified BiPO4 catalyst had higher visible light absorption. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy results indicated that as-prepared BiPO4 catalyst was nanorods with diameter of about 30 nm and length of 200-500 nm. Surface modification with small amount Bi2O3 could significantly promote visible light degradation efficiency of MB, which was about 1.7 times higher than that of the unmodified BiPO4 catalyst. Photocurrent and N2 adsorption experiments showed that the photocurrent and BET specific surface area increased significantly after surface modification. Bi2O3 modification not only enhanced visible light absorption ability of catalyst but also presented a center for the enhancement of electron transfer. The results showed BiPO4 catalyst with Bi2O3 modification was a high activity photocatalytic material. ©, 2014, Science Press. All right reserved.