Photocatalytic ability of Bi 6 Ti 3 WO 18 nanoparticles with a mix-layered Aurivillius structure

Abstract

Aurivillius phase layered perovskites Bi₆Ti₃WO₁₈ was prepared by the sol-gel citrate-complexation synthesis. The sample developed into the plate-like nanoparticles with the exposed (001) facets. The phase formation and structure have been verified via X-ray polycrystalline powder diffraction (XRD) Rietveld refinements. The nanoparticles were investigated via the measurements such as FE-SEM, TEM, EDS, and the surface analyses. UV–Vis absorption data revealed that the Aurivillius compound has a direct band characteristic with the band energy of 2.214 eV. The band structure of Bi₆Ti₃WO₁₈ nanoparticles was discussed on the base of the experiments and theoretical calculation. Bi³⁺-containing Aurivillius Bi₆Ti₃WO₁₈ shows efficient photocatalytic degradation for rhodamine B dye (RhB) with the visible light irradiation (λ > 420 nm). Dynamic characteristic of the light-created excitons was measured by the luminescence and decay lifetime. The multivalent properties of W and Ti ions in the Aurivillius-like lattices of Bi₆Ti₃WO₁₈ photocatalyst were discussed.

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