Synthesis of α-Bi4V2O11 and its Sonocatalytic Activity for the Degradation of Rhodamine B

Abstract

A simple method for preparing highly sonoactive nano-sized bismuth vanadate (α-Bi4V2O11) was prepared by combustion technique. The prepared α-Bi4V2O11 powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). High-resolution TEM images displayed well defined Braggs planes having interplaner distances (dhkl) 3.04Å and 3.12Å, which were in good agreement with the (025) at 2θ = 30.56 o and (133) at 2θ = 28.04 o planes observed in the XRD pattern of monoclinic α-phase of bismuth vanadate respectively. The ultrasonic degradation of Rhodamine B (Rh B) was studied in the absence of catalyst and in the presence of catalyst. The rate of degradation of catalyzed reaction was higher than that obtained with in the absence of the catalysts. The observed pseudo-first-order rate constant increased from 0.010 min -1 to 0.017 min -1 as the concentration of catalyst Rh B increased from 0.03 mg/ml to 0.33 mg/ml. The possible reaction mechanism of sonocatalytic degradation of Rh B over α-Bi4V2O11 has also been discussed. Thus, in this paper we have concluded that bismuth vanadate is a stable and efficient catalyst for the industrial waste-water treatment.