Synthesis of Li-doped bismuth oxide nanoplates, Co nanoparticles modification, and good photocatalytic activity toward organic pollutants

Abstract

Lithium-doped bismuth oxide nanoplates with the thickness of 50–150 nm and tetragonal bismuth oxide, monoclinic lithium bismuthate phases have been synthesized via a simple hydrothermal process using lithium acetate and sodium bismuthate as the raw materials. Cobalt nanoparticles modified lithium-doped bismuth oxide nanoplates hybrids were obtained by an in situ photo-deposition route. The cobalt nanoparticles-modified nanoplates hybrids display significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity toward gentian violet compared with the nanoplates. Gentian violet solution can be totally degraded by the hybrids within 60 min under ultraviolet–visible light irradiation. The superior photocatalytic activity of the cobalt nanoparticles modified nanoplates hybrids originates from the superior charge transfer capacity and the energy band structure of the hybrids. The excellent photocatalytic performance makes the cobalt nanoparticles modified nanoplates hybrids a promising candidate as the photocatalyst for wastewater treatment.

Keywords:

• Lithium-doped bismuth oxide nanoplates
• cobalt nanoparticles modification
• photocatalytic activity
• gentian violet
• electron microscopy

Disclosure statement

The authors have no financial interest and derive no financial benefit from direct applications of this research.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Province of PR China [2008085ME172] and Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program of PR China [Grant nos. 201910360014 and 201910360018].