Synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic properties of γ-Bi2MoO6 prepared by co-precipitation assisted with ultrasound irradiation

• Bi2MoO6 was synthesized by co-precipitation assisted with ultrasound irradiation.
• Bi2MoO6 photocatalyst was able to the mineralization of rhB.
• Bi2MoO6 can be considered as a photocatalyst active under sun-like irradiation.

γ-Bi2MoO6 oxide was prepared by co-precipitation assisted with ultrasound irradiation at different temperatures. The samples synthesized were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and adsorption–desorption N2 isotherms (BET). The morphology, surface area, and photocatalytic properties of γ-Bi2MoO6 particles were analyzed in relation with the variation of experimental conditions during its formation, such as time of exposure to ultrasound irradiation and calcination temperature. Ultrasound irradiation played an important role in the formation and growth of nanosheets and face-like γ-Bi2MoO6 particles under different experimental conditions of synthesis. The photocatalytic activity of γ-Bi2MoO6 oxide was evaluated for the photodegradation reaction of rhodamine B under sun-like irradiation. The analysis of the total organic carbon of samples irradiated at different times showed that the mineralization of rhodamine B over γ-Bi2MoO6 oxide is feasible in 61% after 96 h of irradiation. The best results were obtained with the sample synthesized under ultrasound irradiation for 2 h and calcinated at 350 °C due to a contribution of factors such as morphology, surface area, and crystallinity.