bismuth-oxychloride and methyl-orange

The inducement of plant leaf extracts for the synthesis of various nanostructures has intrigued researchers across the earth to explore the mechanisms of biologically active compounds present in the plants. Herein, a green modified hydrolysis route has been employed for the synthesis of bismuth oxychloride i.e. BiOCl-N, BiOCl-T and BiOCl-A using plant extracts of Azadirachta indica (Neem), Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi), and Saraca indica (Ashoka), and; simultaneously, without plant extract (BiOCl-C), respectively. The as-prepared samples were examined by several microscopic and spectroscopic techniques which revealed that the biosynthesized BiOCl attained certain favorable features such as hierarchical nano-flower morphology, higher porosity, higher specific surface area and narrower band gap compared to BiOCl-C. The degradation of methyl orange (MO) and bisphenol A (BPA) using biosynthesized BiOCl were improved by 21.5% within 90 min and 18.2% within 600 min under visible light irradiation, respectively. The photocurrent response, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and photoluminescence (PL) studies indicated the effective inhibition of the electron-hole pair recombination and enhanced photocatalytic activity of the biosynthesized BiOCl.

Topics: Azadirachta; Azo Compounds; Benzhydryl Compounds; Bismuth; Catalysis; Environmental Restoration and Remediation; Fabaceae; Nanostructures; Ocimum sanctum; Phenols; Photochemical Processes; Plant Extracts; Plant Leaves

In the present work, bismuth oxychloride nanoparticles-a light harvesting semiconductor photocatalyst-were synthesized by a facile hydrolysis route, with sodium bismuthate and hydroxylammonium chloride as the precursor materials. The as-synthesized semiconductor photocatalysts were characterized using X-ray diffraction analysis, Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Photoluminescence spectroscopy techniques. The crystal structure, morphology, composition, and optical properties of these facile synthesized bismuth oxychloride nanoparticles (BiOCl NPs) were compared to those of traditional bismuth oxychloride. In addition, the photocatalytic performance of facile-synthesized BiOCl NPs and traditional BiOCl, as applied to the removal of hazardous organic dyes under visible light illumination, is thoroughly investigated. Our results reveal that facile-synthesized BiOCl NPs display strong UV-Vis light adsorption, improved charge carrier mobility and an inhibited rate of charge carrier recombination, when compared to traditional BiOCl. These enhancements result in an improved photocatalytic degradation rate of hazardous organic dyes under UV-Vis irradiance. For instance, the facile-synthesized BiOCl NPs attained 100% degradation of methylene blue and methyl orange dyes in approximately 30 mins under UV-Vis irradiation, against 55% degradation for traditional BiOCl under similar experimental conditions.

Topics: Azo Compounds; Bismuth; Catalysis; Hydrolysis; Light; Methylene Blue; Nanoparticles; Organic Chemicals; Photochemistry; Photoelectron Spectroscopy; Semiconductors; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Spectrum Analysis, Raman; Ultraviolet Rays; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Water Pollution; X-Ray Diffraction

A Bi2O3 nanoparticle modified BiOCl composite was synthesized by a solvothermal method combined with in situ reduction and oxidation in KBH4 and H2O2 solutions respectively. The thickness of a BiOCl nanosheet and the amount of Bi2O3 nanoparticle can be adjusted by changing the KBH4 concentration. The structure, morphology, elemental composition and optical absorption performance were characterized by using an X-ray diffraction diffractometer, a scanning electron microscope, a high resolution transmission electron microscope, an X-ray photoelectron spectroscope and a UV-Vis diffuse reflection spectroscope respectively. A nanolayered hierarchical structure of BiOCl was observed, and Bi2O3 nanoparticles were found to be evenly distributed on the surface/interface of the nanosheets. The photocatalytic activity of the composite was tested by the degradation of 40 mg L(-1) methyl orange solution under UV light illumination. The Bi2O3/BiOCl composite prepared in a KBH4 concentration of 0.02 M achieved the highest photocatalytic rate of 95.7% in 8 min under UV light illumination with a kinetic constant of 0.3125 l min(-1). The photocatalytic mechanism of the composite has been discussed.

Topics: Azo Compounds; Bismuth; Catalysis; Indicators and Reagents; Nanoparticles; Photolysis; Ultraviolet Rays