Effects of synthetic conditions on the morphology and catalytic properties of hierarchical CuBi2O4 nanoflowers grown by low-temperature solution process

•CuBi2O4 oxides with a variety of novel morphologies were prepared.•Effects of synthetic conditions on the morphology was discussed.•Photocatalytic efficiency is strongly affected by morphology.•Photocatalytic mechanism was illuminated.

Copper bismuthate (CuBi2O4) complex oxides with a variety of novel morphologies have been prepared via a low-temperature solution process. The structure, morphology and light absorption properties were characterized with XRD, SEM, TEM and UV–vis diffuse reflectance. The effects of synthetic conditions (treatment time, additives and KOH concentration) on the morphology have been discussed, and the photocatalytic properties under UV–visible light irradiation were also evaluated using a degradation experiment. The results showed that the prepared samples exhibited some novel morphologies, such as assembly nanorods, leaf-like nanosheets and hierarchical nanoflowers, and excellent visible light absorption properties. Evident degradation for methylene blue was also observed in the range of UV–visible light irradiation with the help of a trace amount of hydrogen peroxide and their photocatalytic properties exhibited a strong dependence on morphology. Additionally, the photocatalytic mechanism was also illuminated.

Graphical abstractCuBi2O4 oxides with a variety of novel morphologies have been prepared via a low-temperature solution process. Photocatalytic efficiency is strongly affected by morphology and the photocatalytic mechanism was illuminated.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide