Synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles of α-Bi2Mo3O12 prepared by co-precipitation method: Langmuir adsorption parameters and photocatalytic properties with rhodamine B

Nanoparticles of α-Bi2Mo3O12 were prepared by co-precipitation method at calcination temperatures of 250, 300, 400 and 480 °C. The characterization of α-Bi2Mo3O12 synthesized at different temperatures was carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis (TGA/DTA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). Adsorption parameters and photocatalytical activity under visible light irradiation of α-Bi2Mo3O12 were evaluated using the rhodamine B (rhB) dye as model. The adsorption constant (K) and maximum amount of dye adsorbed (qmax) on the surface of the samples synthesized were evaluated following the Langmuir isotherm. The sample calcinated at 250 °C showed the maximum adsorption percentage of dye, which ranged between 20 and 46% for initial concentrations of rhB from 5 to 15 mg L−1, with a K = 6.96 × 105 L mol−1 and qmax = 2.73 mg g−1. All samples were able to induce the oxidative photodegradation of rhB, however, the bleaching of dye solution was reached more quickly for the sample calcinated at 250 °C.

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