Visible light-induced photocatalytic activity of modified titanium(iv) oxide with zero-valent bismuth clustersElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Additional HAADF images of Bi-modified TiO2, the spectrum of a reactor lamp, photocatalytic tests under solar light, and additional TRMC signals. See DOI: 10.1039/c4nj01979b

• Main Authors: Kouamé, Natalie A, Alaoui, Ouafa Tahiri, Herissan, Alexandre, Larios, Eduardo, José-Yacaman, Miguel, Etcheberry, Arnaud, Colbeau-Justin, Christophe, Remita, Hynd
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1144-0546; 1369-9261
• DOI: 10.1039/c4nj01979b

The important challenge in photocatalysis is to find efficient and stable photocatalysts under visible light. Small Bi zero-valent clusters were synthesized on TiO 2 -P25 by radiolysis. Photocatalytic tests were conducted under UV, visible and solar light with rhodamine B and phenol as model pollutants. Surface modification of TiO 2 with zero-valent Bi nanoclusters induces high photocatalytic activity under visible light. Very small amounts of Bi (0.5 wt%) can activate titania for photocatalytic applications under visible light. Time resolved microwave conductivity measurements indicate that under visible irradiation Bi nanoclusters inject electrons into the conduction band of TiO 2 . These photocatalysts are very stable with cycling. Surface modification of TiO 2 with zero-valent Bi nanoclusters induces high photocatalytic activity under visible light.