Influence of Gd³⁺ Ions Substitution on the Structure and Properties of Bi-BTC for Photocatalysts

Abstract

A novel material Bi_1-xGd_x-BTC was obtained in situ via the solvothermal method. The effects of Gd³⁺ substitution on the Bi-BTC structure and photocatalytic properties of Bi_1-xGd_x-BTC were investigated. A standard Bi-BTC structure was observed in the X-ray diffraction spectra of the Bi_1-xGd_x-BTC(x ≤ 0.07). However, some diffraction peaks were changed when the x is more than 0.07 due to the different ion radius. The developed Bi_1-xGd_x-BTC samples exhibited higher photocatalytic activity than the pure Bi-BTC material. In RhB degradation experiments, the Bi_1-xGd_x-BTC(x = 0.03 and x = 0.05) materials show degradation efficiency conversion of 71% within 60 min under visible light. The high photodegradation efficiency of Bi_1-xGd_x-BTC could be ascribed to efficient charge transfer between Bi(III) ions and Gd(III) ions. Moreover, an active species trapping experiment confirmed that photo-generated ·O^2- and ·OH is the major species involved in RhB degradation.

KEYWORDS:

• MOFs
• Bi-BTC
• photocatalysts
• solvothermal method

Additional information

Funding

This study was financially supported by the program of education department (No. 17ZB0049) of Sichuan province, Scholars science and technology activities project of Sichuan province in 2018.