Enhanced photocatalytic performance over Bi4Ti3O12 nanosheets with controllable size and exposed {0 0 1} facets for Rhodamine B degradation

Chromium-modified Bi 4 Ti 3 O 12 photocatalyst: Application for hydrogen evolution and pollutant degradation

“…These analyses demonstrate that the addition of chromium in appropriate amounts not only maintains the physical feature of perfect nanosheets, but also notably reduces their particle sizes. The small nanosheet size would potentially enhance its photocatalytic performance according to our previous report [36]. For comparison, the SEM image of calcined Bi 4 Ti 3 O 12 particles at 850 • C was also examined, as shown in Fig.…”

“…Recently, our team applies a novel synthesis method, solgel hydrothermal technique with the reaction temperature as low as 160 • C, to prepare highly crystalline and size-controlled Bi 4 Ti 3 O 12 nanosheets, which exhibit enhanced photocatalytic activity in the visible-light-driven Rhodamine B degradation than sample conventionally calcined at 800 • C [36]. Inspired by the novel synthesis technique, incorporating an additional element into the Bi 4 Ti 3 O 12 nanosheet is designed to further improve its absorbance in visible-light region and also remain its crystalline perfection.…”

Adsorption and Photocatalysis Performance of Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ Nanoparticles Synthesized via a Polyacrylamide Gel Route

“…The high photocatalytic efciency under low pH conditions might be attributed to the large adsorption effect and increased oxidation capacity due to attack of photogenerated holes. 20) For most of the photocatalysis systems, superoxide (•O 2 − ),…”

“…Various nano/micro-fabrication techniques have been widely used to fabricate Bi 4 Ti 3 O 12 nano/micro structures such as liquid chemical reaction, 10) hydrothermal process, 11,12) oxidant peroxide method, 13) solid-state reaction, 14) aqueous sol-gel method, 15) molten salt method, 16,17) electrospinning process, 18,19) sol-gel hydrothermal process, 20) sonochemical method, 21) Based on these methods, several promising morphologies such as hierarchical nanosheets, microplatelets, nanobelts and nano bers have been prepared. 12,14,16,17,19,20) However, further synthesis of small-sized Bi 4 Ti 3 O 12 nanoparticles via an alternative method is still indispensable. In this study we adopted a polyacrylamide gel route as described in the literature 22) to synthesize Bi 4 Ti 3 O 12 nanoparticles and the effect of chelating agents on the products was investigated.…”

“…[6][7][8][9][10] In particular, since the discovery of the photocatalytic H 2 evolution in the methanol aqueous solution and photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange over Bi 4 Ti 3 O 12 , 6,11) Bi 4 Ti 3 O 12 has been extensively studied as a promising photocatalyst. 10,[12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] The photocatalytic process is initiated by the irradiation of a semiconductor photocatalyst and the excitation of electrons from the valence band to the conduction band. The photogenerated electrons (e − ) and holes (h + ) migrate to the semiconductor surface and participate in redox reactions, thus leading to the decomposition of organic dyes.…”