Effect of surfactant PEG on the property control of Bi2O3 and its photocatalytic activity

A detailed investigation into the effect of the poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) addition mass on the bismuth (III) oxide (Bi2O3) photocatalyst is limited but necessary. Bismuth (III) oxide/PEG photocatalysts with different morphologies were prepared with different PEG mass via the solvothermal method and characterized for phase, morphology, optical absorption properties, elemental composition and specific surface area. The results indicated that all bismuth (III) oxide photocatalysts with different additions (Bi2O3/PEG-m(x)) were pure beta-bismuth (III) oxide phases, comprising larger platelike and smaller particle-like particles. Enhanced photocatalytic activity was attributed to increased larger specific surface area with PEG below 10 g. With 12 g of PEG, the formation of surface pores on plate-like bismuth (III) oxide impoved light penetration and utilization. Bi2O3/PEGm12 exhibited optimal photocatalytic activity, achieving over 90% bisphenol A(BPA) degradation after 180min at 0.6g.L-1 under visible light. Bismuth (III) oxide /PEG-ty prepared below 140 degrees C showed poor activity, while above 160 degrees C, high activity was observed. Bismuth (III) oxide/PEG effectively mineralize over 80% of bisphenol A into inorganic molecules and water under the co-oxidation of superoxide radicals (center dot O-2(-)) and holes (h(+)). This is the first detailed research on the regulation and modification of beta-bismuth (III) oxide by PEG, which may provide new insights into the photocatalytic technology.