A facile approach to pure-phase Bi2Fe4O9 nanoparticles sensitive to visible light

• Published in: Applied surface science 2014-12, Vol.321, p.144-149
• Main Authors: Wang, X., Zhang, M., Tian, P., Chin, W.S., Zhang, C.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Band spectra; Bi2Fe4O9; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Crystals; Exact sciences and technology; Free radicals; Multiferroic material; Nanoparticles; Photocatalysis; Photocatalytic; Physics; Reflection; Scavengers; Sol–gel; Surface chemistry
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2014.09.166

•Pure-phase Bi2Fe4O9 nanoparticles were prepared by a facile and environmentally benign sol–gel method.•The multiband characteristic of the nanoparticles greatly expands the visible light absorption.•The visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity of the obtained nanoparticles was improved by 30-fold as compared to the bulk. Pure-phase Bi2Fe4O9 nanoparticles with mullite-type structure were successfully fabricated through a facile and environmentally benign sol–gel process. According to the UV–Vis diffuse reflection spectrum, the multiband structure and the band edge position of the nanoparticles were confirmed, indicating the prominent absorption in the expanded visible-light region. As compared to the bulk, the visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity of the obtained nanoparticles was improved by 30-fold. The much improved photocatalytic efficiency of the sample mainly owed to the small crystal size and the multiband characteristic as well as the adding of H2O2 as electron scavenger and a source of hydroxide free radicals instead of Fenton-like reaction, leading to a low recombination of the photogenerated e−/h+ pairs.