Photocatalytic study on SrBi2B2O7 (SrO-Bi2O3-B2O3) transparent glass ceramics

SrO-Bi2O3-B2O3 transparent glass ceramic was fabricated via conventional melt-quenching technique. Structural analysis like X-ray diffraction, Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies were performed to confirm SBBO glass ceramic formation. As-quenched glass samples exhibited X-ray diffraction peaks corresponding to SrBi2B2O7 which were further confirmed through Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope. UV-vis transmission spectra revealed 60%-80% transparency in 500-800 nm spectral range. Absorption study revealed direct bandgap of 2.58 eV. Resazurin (Rz) ink was used as an indicator to monitor photocatalytic activity for selfcleaning purposes. Digital photographic method was performed to examine photoreduction of Rz ink. Further, the pseudo-first order kinetics was istimated for Methylene blue (MB) degradation. Nucleation of nanoparticles of SrBi2B2O7 over glass surface were found responsible for photocatalytic activity. Contact angle with water droplet for SBBO glass ceramic was 63.43 degrees. Reduced Young's modulus (E-r) and Vickers hardness (H-v) were found 59.9 GPa and 5.01 GPa, respectively.