PANI/Bi12TiO20 complex architectures: Controllable synthesis and enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activities

Bi12TiO20 complex architectures (BiT) with flower-, spindle- and jujube-like shapes, were prepared through a facile template-free hydrothermal process, by controlling the reaction parameters, such as temperature, reagent concentration, and reaction time. Within the hydrothermal temperature range from 150 to 200 °C, the morphology transformed progressively from microjujube to microflowers consisted with nanospindles. A possible growth mechanism for BiT architectures was proposed to explain the transformation of nanoparticles to microflowers via an Ostwald ripening mechanism followed by self-assembly. Most importantly, much higher photocatalytic activities of BiT spindle-like structures modified with 0.5% polyaniline (PANI) via a simple chemisorption approach in comparison with unmodified BiT were obtained for the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) solution under visible-light irradiation (λ > 420 nm). Furthermore, an enhanced photocatalytic performance for RhB degradation was also observed with the assistance of a small amount of H2O2. The reason could be ascribed to the synergic effect between PANI and BiT, which promoted the migration efficiency of photogenerated electron-hole on the interface of PANI and BiT, demonstrating that PANI/BiT architecture is a promising candidate as a visible light photocatalyst.

Graphical abstractBi12TiO20 and PANI/Bi12TiO20 complex architectures with flower-, spindle- and jujube-like shapes, were prepared through a facile template-free hydrothermal process with assistance of a simple chemisorption approach and the morphologies, growth mechanism and visible-light photocatalytic properties of these architectures were investigated.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Bi12TiO20 complex architectures (BiT) with flower-, spindle- and jujube-like shapes, were prepared through a facile template-free hydrothermal process. ► A possible growth mechanism for BiT architectures is proposed via an Ostwald ripening mechanism followed by self-assembly. ► Much high photocatalytic activities of BiT with 0.5% PANI were obtained for the degradation of RhB under visible-light irradiation. ► An enhanced photocatalytic performance for PANI/BiT architectures was also observed with the assistance of a small amount of H2O2.