Sillenite-type Bismuth Ferric Nanocrystals: Microwave Hydrothermal Synthesis, Structural Characterization, and Visible-Light Photocatalytic Properties

In this work, we report on an efficient visible-light-responsive novel photocatalyst based on sillenite-type bismuth ferric nanocrystals with hexagonal-shaped morphology and particle size range of 18 - 33nm, which were synthesized by microwave hydrothermal method. Their microstructures were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectra, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The high photocatalytic activity was evaluated by degrading the rhodamine B in aqueous solution under visible-light irradiation. The present results demonstrate that the sillenite-type bismuth ferritic nanocrystals are promising visible-light-responsive photocatalysts for degradation of organic compounds.