Er~(3+) doped bismuth molybdate nanosheets with exposed {010} facets and enhanced photocatalytic performance

摘要

Er~(3+) doped Bi2MoO6 nanosheets with enhanced photocatalytic activity were synthesized for the first time using a simple hydrothermal method. The morphology of Bi2MoO6 can be controlled from nanosheets to nanowires by adjusting the pH values. The samples were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), photoluminescence spectra (PL) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Er~(3+) doped Bi2MoO6 nanosheets selectively exposed {010} facets as the main external surfaces and the nanowires grew along the (010) direction. The nanosheets were found to be highly active for photocatalytic degradation of dyes and phenol. The activities of the Er~(3+) doped Bi2MoO6 nanosheets were much superior to that of commercial Degussa P25. The effect of Er~(3+) on the photocatalytic activity of Bi2MoO6 was investigated in detail. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of Bi2MoO6 nanosheets can be attributed to the exposed {010} facets and the dopant Er~(3+) which can transform visible light into ultraviolet light.