Preparation of PbYO composite photocatalysts for degradation of methyl orange under visible-light irradiation

The PbYO composites were prepared through a precipitation method and used for the degradation of methyl orange under visible-light irradiation. The PbYO complex photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, N-2 adsorption-desorption, and terephthalic acid photoluminescence (TA-PL) probing technique. The results indicated that the photodegradation of methyl orange was significantly enhanced in the presence of PbYO complex oxide when compared with BiYO3. The calcination temperature was found to have a significant effect on the photocatalytic activity of PbYO composites. Specifically, PbYO calcined at 800 degrees C had a considerably larger surface area, lower reflectance intensity, higher formation rate of free center dot OH radicals and showed higher photocatalytic activity. (C) 2011 Elsevier BM. All rights reserved.