Synthesis, Characterization, and Photocatalytic Activity of Bi2O3

A series of Bi2O3 were prepared by a facile hydrothermal method using NaOH and ammonia as the mineralizers. The products were characterized by XRD, IR, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra, and photodegradation of Rhodamine B dye. Simply using NaOH to supply a strong base condition, single phase α-Bi2O3 was formed. When changing the amount of NaOH and ammonia, mixed phases of α-Bi2O3, (BiO)4CO3(OH)2 and Bi2O2CO3 were obtained. All samples were found to show photocatalytic activities towards the degradation of Rhodamine B dye under UV light irradiation, in which mixed phase samples showed higher activities than single phase α-Bi2O3 possibly owing to the synergistic effect of the mixed phases.