Facile preparation of Bi-doped ZnO/beta-Bi2O3/Carbon xerogel composites towards visible-light photocatalytic applications: Effect of calcination temperature and bismuth content

Author(s)

de Moraes, Nicolas Perciani ^[1] ; Rocha, Robson da Silva ^[1] ; Caetano Pinto da Silva, Maria Lucia ^[1] ; Bastos Campos, Tiago Moreira ^[2] ; Thim, Gilmar Patrocinio ^[2] ; Landers, Richard ^[3] ; Rodrigues, Liana Alvares ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Escola Engn Lorena EEL USP, Estr Municipal do Campinho S-N, BR-12602810 Lorena, SP - Brazil

^[2] Inst Tecnol Aeronaut ITA CTA, Praca Mal Eduardo Gomes 50, BR-12228900 Sao Jose Dos Campos, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Fis Gleb Wataghin, 500 Ave Albert Einstein, BR-13083852 Campinas, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL; v. 46, n. 15, p. 23895-23909, OCT 15 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

This work aimed to study the development and properties of Bi-doped ZnO/beta-Bi2O3/Carbon xerogel composites towards visible light photocatalysis applications. The materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, dispersive energy spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption isotherms, Raman spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of the developed composites was evaluated through the photo degradation of the 4-chlorophenol molecule and by chronoamperometry tests. The results obtained show that the calcination temperature poses a major influence in the final structure of the materials developed. The calcination temperature of 600 degrees C resulted in the formation of the beta-Bi2O3 and Bi-0 phases, consequently enhancing the photocatalytic activity of the composites due to the increased charge mobility provided by the heterojunctions between zinc oxide, carbon xerogel, bismuth oxide and metallic bismuth. The composite with intermediate bismuth composition (XC/ZnO-Bi2O3 5%) displayed the best photocatalytic response among the materials tested, which was confirmed by its increased photocurrent generation capability. The photocatalytic mechanism is highly dependent in the generation of hydroxyl radicals and the composite presents good reusability properties. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/02762-5 - Development of technologies to prevent pollution: degradation and monitoring online of antibiotics in sewage
• Grantee: Robson da Silva Rocha
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/16360-0 - Development of ZnO/Bi2O3/Carbon xerogel ternary composites as photocatalysts for the degradation of persistent organic pollutants
• Grantee: Nicolas Perciani de Moraes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 18/12035-7 - Mechanical and antimicrobial properties of Ag/PMMA nanocomposite
• Grantee: Gilmar Patrocínio Thim
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/10492-1 - Photocatalytic evaluation of heterojunctions semiconductor/ZnO/carbon xerogel in the photodegradation of 4-chlorophenol in both fluidized bed and batch reactors
• Grantee: Liana Alvares Rodrigues
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/10118-0 - Study and application of electrochemical technology for the analysis and degradation of endocrine interferents: materials, sensors, processes and scientific dissemination
• Grantee: Marcos Roberto de Vasconcelos Lanza
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants