Photocatalytic reduction of bromate at C60 modified Bi2MoO6 under visible light irradiation

In the current work, Bi2MoO6 nanoparticles were prepared via hydrothermal method and obtained Bi2MoO6 nanoparticles were modified by C60. The photocatalytic activity of the prepared Bi2MoO6 nanoparticles and C60 modified Bi2MoO6 in the reduction of bromate ions were evaluated under visible light irradiation. It is observed that bromate ions can be reduced by Bi2MoO6 nanoparticles and the reduction rate of bromate ions was increased by the C60 modification. Based on the analysis of photoluminescence spectra and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of the Bi2MoO6 and C60 modified Bi2MoO6, it is concluded that separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs is enhanced via the modification of C60 molecules onto Bi2MoO6. Thus, the photocatalytic activity of the Bi2MoO6 nanoparticles towards the reduction of bromate ions was enhanced. The effect of loading amount of C60 on Bi2MoO6 nanoparticles on the bromate reduction was investigated. And, the reduction rate of bromate decreased with the solution pH value, which was discussed based on the electrostatic interaction. Effect of cations and anions on the reduction of bromate was investigated. The photogenerated electrons can be consumed by NO3−, which resulted in the decrease of BrO3− reduction. The photocatalytic reduction of bromate decreased with the addition of K2S2O8, which indicated that electrons played a dominant role in the reduction of bromate.

The photocatalytic activity of the prepared Bi2MoO6 nanoparticles and C60 modified Bi2MoO6 in the reduction of bromate ions were evaluated under visible light irradiation. The obtained results indicated that bromate ions can be reduced by Bi2MoO6 nanoparticles and the reduction rate of bromate ions was increased by modifying C60. The deposited C60 molecules facilitated the separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs, and enhance the photocatalytic activity of the Bi2MoO6 nanoparticles towards the reduction of bromate ions.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Bromate ions can be reduced by Bi2MoO6 nanoparticles via photocatalytic process under visible light irradiation.
► Modification of Bi2MoO6 nanoparticles by C60 increases the reduction rate of bromate ions via photocatalytic process.
► The deposited C60 molecules facilitated the separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs, and enhanced the photocatalytic activity of the Bi2MoO6 nanoparticles towards the reduction of bromate ions.