Er3+/Yb3+co-doped bismuth molybdate nanosheets upconversion photocatalyst with enhanced photocatalytic activity

• Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped Bi2MoO6 upconversion photocatalyst is successfully synthesized.
• We obtained the nanosheets having high surface area.
• Upconversion of IR to visible light was confirmed.
• Upconversion phenomena can be utilized for effective photocatalysis.

In this paper, we report the microwave hydrothermal synthesis of Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped Bi2MoO6 upconversion photocatalyst. Crystal structure, morphology, elemental composition, optical properties and BET surface area were analyzed in detail. Infrared to visible upconversion luminescence at 532 nm and 546 nm of the co-doped samples was investigated under excitation at 980 nm. The results revealed that the co-doping of Er3+/Yb3+ into Bi2MoO6 exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity for the decomposition of rhodamine B under simulated solar light irradiation. Enhanced photocatalytic activity can be attributed to the energy transfer between Er3+/Yb3+ and Bi2MoO6 via infrared to visible upconversion from Er3+/Yb3+ ion and higher surface area of the Bi2MoO6 nanosheets. Therefore, this synthetic approach may exhibit a better alternative to fabricate upconversion photocatalyst for integral solar light absorption.

Schematic illustration of the upconversion photocatalysis. Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide