One Step Synthesis of Tetragonal-CuBi2O4/Amorphous-BiFeO3 Heterojunction with Improved Charge Separation and Enhanced Photocatalytic Properties

Abstract

Tetragonal CuBi2O4/amorphous BiFeO3 (T-CBO/A-BFO) composites are prepared via a one-step solvothermal method at mild conditions. The T-CBO/A-BFO composites show expanded visible light absorption, suppressed charge recombination, and consequently improved photocatalytic activity than T-CBO or A-BFO alone. The T-CBO/A-BFO with an optimal T-CBO to A-BFO ratio of 1:1 demonstrates the lowest photoluminescence signal and highest photocatalytic activity. It shows a removal rate of 78.3% for the photodegradation of methylene orange under visible light irradiation for 1 h. XPS test after the cycle test revealed the reduction of Bi3+ during the photocatalytic reaction. Moreover, the as prepared T-CBO/A-BFO show fundamentally higher photocatalytic activity than their calcinated counterparts. The one-step synthesis is completed within 30 min and does not require post annealing process, which may be easily applied for the fast and cost-effective preparation of photoactive metal oxide heterojunctions.

Improving the photoelectrochemical water splitting performance of CuO photocathodes using a protective CuBi2O4 layer

“…The spectrum of the 5CL450 sample exhibited strong peaks at approximately 20.8°, 27.9°, 29.3°, 30.6°, 46.1°, and 55.1° corresponding to the planes (2 0 0), (2 1 1), (2 2 0), (0 0 2), (4 1 1), and (3 3 2), respectively (ICDD No. 00-42-0334) indicating that CuBi 2 O 4 layer was successfully synthesized 17 , 27 . Moreover, the peaks of CuO were also found in the XRD spectrum at 35.64 °, 38.90 °, and 53.62 ° corresponding to the planes (− 1 1 1), (1 1 1), (2 0 2), respectively (ICDD No.…”

Improving the photoelectrochemical water splitting performance of CuO photocathodes using a protective CuBi2O4 layer

“…The spectrum of the 5CL450 sample exhibited strong peaks at approximately 20.8 °, 27.9 °, 29.3 °, 30.6 °, 46.1 °, and 55.1 ° corresponding to the planes (2 0 0), (2 1 1), (2 2 0), (0 0 2), (4 1 1), and (3 3 2), respectively (ICDD No. 00-42-0334) indicating that CuBi2O4 layer was successfully synthesized 12,22 . Moreover, the peaks of CuO were also found in the XRD spectrum at 35.64 °, 38.90 °, and 53.62 ° corresponding to the planes (-1 1 1), (1 1 1), (2 0 2), respectively (ICDD No.…”

Novel CoFe2O4/CuBi2O4 heterojunction p–n semiconductor as visible‐light‐driven nanophotocatalyst for C (OH)–H bond activation

“…Hybridization of CuBi 2 O 4 with other metal oxide semiconductors has yielded increased photoactivity. [ 29 ] Different CuBi 2 O 4 ‐based heterojunction photocatalysts, such as p–n g‐C 3 N 4 /CuBi 2 O 4 [ 8 ] and NaTaO 3 /CuBi 2 O 4 [ 30 ] , have been reported to improve the separation of the charge carriers. In addition, electron mobility could also be boosted, contributing to an enhancement in the photocatalytic performance of the heterojunction photocatalysts.…”

“…Hybridization of CuBi 2 O 4 with other metal oxide semiconductors has yielded increased photoactivity. [29] Different CuBi 2 O 4 -based heterojunction photocatalysts, such as p-n g-C 3 N 4 /CuBi 2 O 4 [8] and NaTaO 3 /CuBi 2 O 4 [30] ,…”