Novel CaBi6O10 photocatalyst for methylene blue degradation under visible light irradiation

A novel photocatalyst CaBi6O10 with flower-like morphology was prepared by a simple impregnation–calcination method and investigated by techniques such as XRD, Raman, SEM, BET, DRS, and density function theory (DFT). Results reveal that CaBi6O10 is responsive to visible light below 537 nm (Eg = 2.31 eV). In addition, CaBi6O10 presents broader conduction band than Bi2O3, which favors the mobility of photo-generated electrons in CaBi6O10 and contributes positively to the photocatalytic reaction. The good photoabsorption and the special electron structure were considered as the origin of the high activity of CaBi6O10 in methylene blue photodegradation.

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► Flower-like CaBi6O10 was synthesized by a simple impregnation-calcination method.
► The CaBi6O10 photocatalyst shows higher activity than Bi2O3 for methylene blue degradation under visible light irradiation.
► The electronic structure of CaBi6O10 is the origin of the high activity.