Modification of TiO2 nanorods by Bi2MoO6 nanoparticles for high performance visible-light photocatalysis

In this work, TiO2 nanorods were prepared by a hydrothermal process and then Bi2MoO6 nanoparticles were deposited onto the TiO2 nanorods by a solvothermal process. The nanostructured Bi2MoO6/TiO2 composites were extensively characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of the Bi2MoO6/TiO2 composites was evaluated by degradation of methylene blue. The Bi2MoO6/TiO2 composites exhibit higher catalytic activity than pure Bi2MoO6 and TiO2 for degradation of methylene blue under visible light irradiation (λ > 420 nm). Further investigation revealed that the ratio of Bi2MoO6 to TiO2 in the composites greatly influenced their photocatalytic activity. The experimental results indicated that the composite with Bi2MoO6:TiO2 = 1:3 exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity. The enhancement mechanism of the composite catalysts was also discussed.

► Bi2MoO6/TiO2 heterojunction photocatalysts.
► Effective separation of photoexcited electrons and holes.
► High visible light photocatalytic activity.