Visible light photocatalytic degradation of dyes by a new polyaniline/β-Bi₂O₃ composite

ABSTRACT

A new polyaniline-modified β-Bi₂O₃ photocatalyst (PANI/β-Bi₂O₃ composite) was prepared via the chemical oxidative polymerization. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and UV-Vis absorption spectra were used to characterize the phase structure, morphology, and optical properties of the samples, respectively. The photocatalytic activity of the prepared samples was evaluated by degrading Acid orange 7(AO 7), and the highest photocatalytic activity was shown by PB-3 (5%). Compared with pure β-Bi₂O₃, 30% photocatalytic activity can be improved by the PB-3. PANI modification can effectively enhance the photocatalytic activity of the β-Bi₂O₃. The possible photocatalytic mechanism of the PANI/β-Bi₂O₃ composite was proposed.

KEYWORDS:

• PANI/β-Bi₂O₃ composite
• photocatalysis
• visible light

Funding

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51262018, 50962009, and 11264023).