Photoluminescence and Photocatalytic Properties of Bi2O3 Nanostructures

Abstract

Bi2O3 nanostructures were synthesized through a simple electrolysis based oxidation using NaOH electrolyte and annealed at 300 °C, 400 °C, 500 °C and 600 °C. The obtained Bi2O3 nanostructures were characterized using X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). Bi2O3 crystal structure was confirmed by XRD. When free electron and holes are combined together then emission signals are emitted from PL spectra. With this process, it is studied about the recombination and separation of photo generated holes and electrons. The photocatalytic activities of Bi2O3 films were evaluated for the degradation of Congo red in aqueous solution under UV light irradiation. Among the four samples, Bi2O3 films annealed at 300 °C have better efficiency in removing the congo red dye. For Bi-3, the initial concentration of 10 ppm decreases to 1.11 ppm after 420 min.