NaYF4:Er,Yb/Bi2MoO6 core/shell nanocomposite: A highly efficient visible-light-driven photocatalyst utilizing upconversion

• Design and synthesis of NaYF4:Er,Yb/Bi2MoO6 based on upconversion.
• NaYF4:Er,Yb/Bi2MoO6 nanocomposite was prepared for the first time.
• Core–shell structure benefits the properties.
• Upconversion contributed to the enhanced photocatalytic activity.
• Helps to understand the functionality of new type photocatalysts.

NaYF4:Er,Yb/Bi2MoO6 core/shell nanocomposite was designed and prepared for the first time based on upconversion. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution TEM (HRTEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS). The results revealed that the as-synthesized NaYF4:Er,Yb/Bi2MoO6 consisted of spheres with a core diameter of about 26 nm and a shell diameter of around 6 nm. The core was upconversion illuminant NaYF4:Er,Yb and the shell was Bi2MoO6 around the core, which was confirmed by EDS. The NaYF4:Er,Yb/Bi2MoO6 exhibited higher photocatalytic activity for the photodecomposition of Rhodamine B (RhB) under the irradiation of Xe lamp and green light emitting diode (g-LED). The mechanism of the high photocatalytic activity was discussed by photoluminescence spectra (PL), which is mainly attributed to upconversion of NaYF4:Er,Yb in the NaYF4:Er,Yb/Bi2MoO6 nanocomposite and the core–shell structure.

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