Abstract
Bi2O3 visible light responsive photocatalysts with graphene oxide (GO) support were successfully prepared by ultrasonic assisted method. XRD, UV-DRS, FE-SEM with EDX and FTIR instruments were used for the characterization studies. Bi2O3 nano-rods were formed with PVP surfactant during the synthesis using ultrasound. XRD patterns revealed the formation of well crystalline alpha-Bi2O3. It was observed from optical characterization studies that Bi2O3-GO photocatalyst showed an absorption edge at 438 nm and its corresponding band-gap energy was 2.8 eV. FE-SEM images revealed that rod shaped alpha-Bi2O3 was densely decorated on solid GO support. EDX result of Bi2O3-GO clearly showed the existence of Bi, O and C elements, respectively. The presence of different oxygen containing functional groups (epoxy, hydroxyl and carbonyl) in GO and Bi-O vibration from Bi2O3-GO photocatalyst were confirmed through FTIR spectrum. The photocatalytic degradation of a commonly used dye methyl orange in aqueous solution was carried out using Bi2O3 photocatalysts with and without GO to evaluate the photocatalytic efficiency. The rate of degradation of bare Bi2O3 was less than the GO supported one i.e., in the presence of GO, an enhanced rate of methyl orange degradation was observed. Thus, GO serves as a solid support to anchor Bi2O3 nano-rods photocatalysts is useful in developing new photocatalysts.