Controlled synthesis of bismuth oxyiodide toward optimization of photocatalytic performance
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
Liao, Chenxing; Ma, Zhijun [State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Wushan Road 381, Guangzhou 510641 (China); Chen, Xiaofeng, E-mail: chenxf@scut.edu.c [Biomaterials Research Institute, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Wushan Road 381, Guangzhou 510641 (China); He, Xin [School of Applied Physics and Materials, Wuyi University, Jiangmen 529020 (China); Qiu, Jianrong, E-mail: qjr@scut.edu.cn [State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Wushan Road 381, Guangzhou 510641 (China)
2016-11-30
Highlights: • Different bismuth oxyiodide was synthesized. • The hollow Bi{sub 4}O{sub 5}I{sub 2} microspheres was obtained. • Formation mechanism of the hollow structure was discussed in detail. - Abstract: A new investigation on the variation rule of the structure, morphology, chemical composition and photocatalytic performance of bismuth oxyiodide synthesized by solvothermal method as a function of reaction conditions was performed here. The composition and morphology of the product could be determined by X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The results revealed that the particle size together with content of iodide in bismuth oxyiodide decrease with the increase of the concentration of reaction precursors. Hollow Bi{sub 4}O{sub 5}I{sub 2} microsphere with specific surface area as high as 120.88 m{sup 2} g{sup −1} can be easily synthesized when the concentration of the reaction precursors finally increased to 62.5 mM. Photocatalytic water purification performance of the as-prepared samples was evaluated by using Rhodamine B (RhB) as a model contaminant. The results revealed that the hollow Bi{sub 4}O{sub 5}I{sub 2} exhibited the best performance among all the bismuth oxyodide synthesized here for the degradation of RhB under visible light irradiation. Meanwhile, the formation mechanism of the hierarchical hollow structure of bismuth oxyiodide was investigated by the dissolution-recrystallization mechanism.
X-ray-diffraction and absorption-spectrophotometric studies of AmI/sub 3/ and AmOI
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
Haire, R.G.; Young, J.P.; Peterson, J.R.
1983-01-01
The anhydrous tri-iodides and the oxyiodide of americium were investigated by X-ray diffraction and absorption spectrophotometry. From the X-ray analysis of the tri-iodide, an orthorhombic form (PuBr/sub 3/-type structure) has been identified, which is isostructural with the lighter actinide (U-Pu) tri-iodides. A hexagonal form (BiI/sub 3/-type structure) of the tri-iodide was also found. The transition temperature for converting the orthorhombic form to the hexagonal form was established to be 400 +- 30/sup 0/C. Room temperature lattice parameters for the tri-iodide are: (1) a/sub 0/ = 0.428(4), b/sub 0/ = 1.394(1) and c/sub 0/ = 0.9974(7) nm for the orthorbombic form; and (2) a/sub 0/ = 0.7637(4) and c/sub 0/ = 2.091(2) nm for the hexagonal form. Tetragonal parameters for the oxyiodide are a/sub 0/ = 0.4010(3) and c/sub 0/ = 0.9038(6) nm. From differences in the absorption spectra of the solids at 25/sup 0/C, it is possible to differentiate between these three materials by absorption spectrophotometry.
Ma, Haipeng; Zhang, Jing; Liu, Zhifeng
2017-11-01
The novel WO3 nanorods (NRs)/BiOI core/shell structure composite is used as an efficient photoanode applied in photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting for the first time. It is synthesized via facile hydrothermal method and, successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) process. This facile synthesis route can achieve uniform WO3/BiOI core/shell composite nanostructures and obtain varied BiOI morphologies simultaneously. The WO3 NRs/BiOI-20 composite exhibits enhanced PEC activity compared to pristine WO3 with a photocurrent density of 0.79 mA cm-2 measured at 0.8 V vs. RHE under AM 1.5G. This excellent performance benefits from the broader absorption spectrum and suppressed electron-hole recombination. This novel core/shell composite may provide insight in developing more efficient solar driven photoelectrodes.
Han, Na; Wang, Yu; Yang, Hui; Deng, Jun; Wu, Jinghua; Li, Yafei; Li, Yanguang
2018-04-03
Electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction to formate is desirable but challenging. Current attention is mostly focused on tin-based materials, which, unfortunately, often suffer from limited Faradaic efficiency. The potential of bismuth in carbon dioxide reduction has been suggested but remained understudied. Here, we report that ultrathin bismuth nanosheets are prepared from the in situ topotactic transformation of bismuth oxyiodide nanosheets. They process single crystallinity and enlarged surface areas. Such an advantageous nanostructure affords the material with excellent electrocatalytic performance for carbon dioxide reduction to formate. High selectivity (~100%) and large current density are measured over a broad potential, as well as excellent durability for >10 h. Its selectivity for formate is also understood by density functional theory calculations. In addition, bismuth nanosheets were coupled with an iridium-based oxygen evolution electrocatalyst to achieve efficient full-cell electrolysis. When powered by two AA-size alkaline batteries, the full cell exhibits impressive Faradaic efficiency and electricity-to-formate conversion efficiency.
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
Liu Zhang; Xu Weicheng; Fang Jianzhang; Xu Xiaoxin; Wu Shuxing; Zhu Ximiao; Chen Zehua
2012-01-01
Highlights: ► RGO/BiOI nanocomposites were synthesized by a reverse microemulsion method. ► Quantum sized BiOI nanoparticles can be obtained by this approach. ► Ascorbic acid was used as a reducing agent to reduce GO and seemed to be effective. ► RGO/BiOI presented outstanding visible-light-induced photocatalytic performance. ► Possible photocatalytic mechanism was proposed based on the experimental studies. - Abstract: Herein, a reverse microemulsion route was developed to synthesize bismuth oxyiodide (BiOI) nanocrystals and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanocomposites as a highly efficient photocatalyst, and both the formation of BiOI and the reduction of RGO were achieved in situ in microemulsions simultaneously at low temperature (60 °C). The uniform nanocrystal size and structure were indicated by XRD, TEM, and the reduction of GO by ascorbic acid was evidenced by FTIR, XPS, and Raman spectra techniques. The enhanced photoactivity of RGO/BiOI nanocomposites under visible light was attributed to improved light absorption and efficient charge separation and transportation.
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
Liu Zhang, E-mail: liuzhang0126@126.com [School of Chemistry and Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006 (China); Xu Weicheng [School of Chemistry and Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006 (China); Fang Jianzhang, E-mail: fangjzh@scnu.edu.cn [School of Chemistry and Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006 (China); Xu Xiaoxin; Wu Shuxing; Zhu Ximiao; Chen Zehua [School of Chemistry and Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006 (China)
2012-10-15
Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer RGO/BiOI nanocomposites were synthesized by a reverse microemulsion method. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Quantum sized BiOI nanoparticles can be obtained by this approach. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Ascorbic acid was used as a reducing agent to reduce GO and seemed to be effective. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer RGO/BiOI presented outstanding visible-light-induced photocatalytic performance. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Possible photocatalytic mechanism was proposed based on the experimental studies. - Abstract: Herein, a reverse microemulsion route was developed to synthesize bismuth oxyiodide (BiOI) nanocrystals and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanocomposites as a highly efficient photocatalyst, and both the formation of BiOI and the reduction of RGO were achieved in situ in microemulsions simultaneously at low temperature (60 Degree-Sign C). The uniform nanocrystal size and structure were indicated by XRD, TEM, and the reduction of GO by ascorbic acid was evidenced by FTIR, XPS, and Raman spectra techniques. The enhanced photoactivity of RGO/BiOI nanocomposites under visible light was attributed to improved light absorption and efficient charge separation and transportation.
Visible-Light-Driven BiOI-Based Janus Micromotor in Pure Water.
Dong, Renfeng; Hu, Yan; Wu, Yefei; Gao, Wei; Ren, Biye; Wang, Qinglong; Cai, Yuepeng
2017-02-08
Light-driven synthetic micro-/nanomotors have attracted considerable attention due to their potential applications and unique performances such as remote motion control and adjustable velocity. Utilizing harmless and renewable visible light to supply energy for micro-/nanomotors in water represents a great challenge. In view of the outstanding photocatalytic performance of bismuth oxyiodide (BiOI), visible-light-driven BiOI-based Janus micromotors have been developed, which can be activated by a broad spectrum of light, including blue and green light. Such BiOI-based Janus micromotors can be propelled by photocatalytic reactions in pure water under environmentally friendly visible light without the addition of any other chemical fuels. The remote control of photocatalytic propulsion by modulating the power of visible light is characterized by velocity and mean-square displacement analysis of optical video recordings. In addition, the self-electrophoresis mechanism has been confirmed for such visible-light-driven BiOI-based Janus micromotors by demonstrating the effects of various coated layers (e.g., Al 2 O 3 , Pt, and Au) on the velocity of motors. The successful demonstration of visible-light-driven Janus micromotors holds a great promise for future biomedical and environmental applications.
Hahn, Nathan T; Hoang, Son; Self, Jeffrey L; Mullins, C Buddie
2012-09-25
Bismuth oxy-iodide is a potentially interesting visible-light-active photocatalyst; yet there is little research regarding its photoelectrochemical properties. Herein we report the synthesis of BiOI nanoplatelet photoelectrodes by spray pyrolysis on fluorine-doped tin oxide substrates at various temperatures. The films exhibited n-type conductivity, most likely due to the presence of anion vacancies, and optimized films possessed incident photon conversion efficiencies of over 20% in the visible range for the oxidation of I(-) to I(3)(-) at 0.4 V vs Ag/AgCl in acetonitrile. Visible-light photons (λ > 420 nm) contributed approximately 75% of the overall photocurrent under AM1.5G illumination, illustrating their usefulness under solar light illumination. A deposition temperature of 260 °C was found to result in the best performance due to the balance of morphology, crystallinity, impurity levels, and optical absorption, leading to photocurrents of roughly 0.9 mA/cm(2) at 0.4 V vs Ag/AgCl. Although the films performed stably in acetonitrile, their performance decreased significantly upon extended exposure to water, which was apparently caused by a loss of surface iodine and subsequent formation of an insulating bismuth hydroxide layer.
Wang, Yanhu; Zhang, Lina; Cui, Kang; Xu, Caixia; Li, Hao; Liu, Hong; Yu, Jinghua
2018-02-15
One solar-driven electrochromic photoelectrochemical fuel cell (PFC) with highly efficient energy conversion and storage is easily constructed to achieve quantitative self-powered sensing. Layered bismuth oxyiodide-zinc oxide nanorod arrays (ZnO@BiOI NRA) with a core/shell p-n heterostructure are fabricated as the photoanode with electrochromic Prussian blue (PB) as the cathode. The core/shell p-n heterostructure for the ZnO@BiOI photoanode can effectively boost the photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance through the improvement of photon absorption and charge carrier separation. The optimal assembled PFC yields an open-circuit voltage (V OC ) of 0.48 V with the maximum power output density (P max ) as high as 155 μW cm -2 upon illumination. Benefitting from the interactive color-changing behavior of PB, the cathode not only exhibits cathodic catalytic activity in the PFC but also serves as an electrochromic display for self-powered sensing. The as-constructed PFC possesses multiple readable signal output nanochannels through the maximum power output density (P max ) of the PFC or the color change of PB. Meanwhile, the dual-signal-output makes the as-constructed self-powered sensor highly available in various operations demands with the enhanced reliability. With the advantages of high efficiency of PFCs, unique assay ability, and broad environmental suitability, the constructed self-powered platform shows broad application prospects as an integrated smart analytical device.
Kandanapitiye, Murthi S.
-ray computed tomography is capable of delineating the 3-D images of soft tissues with superb quality. The variation of X-ray attenuation from one tissue to another is used to generate the well spatial resolved superb quality images. Exogenous radiopaque agents are necessary for the superb visualization of different types of soft tissues. Heavy metals with high atomic number are better suited for biomedical applications to enhance the image contrast due to their high mass attenuation coefficient. Bismuth (Z- 83) is the nonradioactive, heaviest, nontoxic element available among the other closest neighbors (Hg, Tl, Pb and Po) of the periodic table. We have set out to search for compounds that are hydrolytically stable, more efficient and more amenable in terms of biocompatibility. Moreover this new discovery can significantly reduce the average radiation dose in one CT scan. We have discovered a simple one-step aqueous solution route for preparing biocompatible and ultra-small bismuth oxyiodide BiOI nanoparticles and investigated their potential application as an efficient CT contrast agent. Our ultra-small monodisperse BiOI NPs have excellent water dispersability, thermodynamic stability, kinetic inertness, high biocompatibility and superior attenuation power, suggesting their potential as an organ-specific CT contrast agent that may fill the gap left by the other nanoparticulate and iodine-based CT contrasting agents. The chapter 6 of this dissertation discusses synthesis and characterization of novel nanoparticulate therapeutics and theranostics. D-penicillamine has the highest efficacy, and hence is currently the most widely used drug for WD across the world. We have prepared the D-PEN-conjugated Au NPs of the average size of 16 [special character omited] 2 nm with superb water dispersability, and examined the kinetics and selectivity of copper binding of such NPs in aqueous solution. We also studied the cellular uptake, cytotoxicity and intracellular copper removal of these