Glycolthermal synthesis of Bi2MoO6 nanoplates and their photocatalytic performance

Bi(2)Moo(6) nanoplates were successfully synthesized by a glycolthermal method at 160 degrees C for 12 h. Pure orthorhombic Bi2MoO6 nanoplates were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and UV-visible absorption spectroscopy. The effect of reaction temperature and length of reaction time on phase and morphology of the as-synthesized products was investigated. The 2.75 eV energy gap was investigated by UV visible spectroscopy and was responsible for the photocatalysis. Photocatalytic performance of the Bi(2)Moo(6) nanoplates evaluated through the degradation of rhodamine B under Xe light irradiation was 98.20% within 120 min. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.