TITLE:
Preparation of Novel Mesoporous Photocatalyst Bi4O5Br2/SBA-15 with Enhanced Visible-Light Catalytic Activity
AUTHORS:
Youju Shu, Shengrong Yan, Kaijie Dong, Jiwei Chen
KEYWORDS:
Mesoporous Materials, Bi4O5Br2/SBA-15, Visible-Light Photocatalytic Activity
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Applied Sciences,
Vol.8 No.11,
November
30,
2018
ABSTRACT: Photocatalysis is one of the most promising methods owing to its great
potential to relieve environmental issue. To construct efficient photocatalyst
with low energy consumption, mild catalytic conditions, and stable chemical
properties are highly desired. In this work, a novel, highly active and
environmental friendly mesoporous photocatalyst Bi4O5Br2/SBA-15
was synthesized by hydrothermal method, and its characteristics and
visible-light catalytic activity were investigated. The synthesized
photocatalyst consisted of Langmuir type IV hysteresis loops, which was
confirmed to be a composite material with mesoporous structure. It exhibited a
high visible-light absorption intensity and a low recombination rate of
photo-generated electrons and holes. When the mass ratio of Bi/SiO2 was
30/100 during the synthesis, the obtained photocatalyst (Bi30/SBA-15)
reflected the fastest Rhodamine B (RhB) removal rate and achieved 100%
decolorization of RhB by both adsorption and degradation process. This high
decolorization efficiency can also be maintained and realized by recycling the
used composite in practice. The enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity
of novel Bi4O5Br2/SBA-15 photocatalyst can be ascribed
to the existing active sites both inside and outside SBA-15 which enhanced the
separation of photo-generated electrons and holes.