Crystalline metallic Au nanoparticle-loaded α-Bi2O3 microrods for improved photocatalysis

Crystalline metallic Au nanoparticles were loaded on α-Bi(2)O(3) microrods (Au/α-Bi(2)O(3)) using an Au deposition-precipitation method. The prepared samples were characterized by scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Upon visible light irradiation, the Au/α-Bi(2)O(3) exhibits much higher photocatalytic activities than the pure α-Bi(2)O(3) for the degradation of Rhodamine B and 2,4-dichlorophenol in aqueous solution. The role of the Au and the paths of electron transport in the photocatalysis of the Au/α-Bi(2)O(3) were investigated and discussed in detail based on the analysis of the photo-generated hydroxyl radicals (˙OH) and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) in the visible light irradiated suspension of pure α-Bi(2)O(3) and Au/α-Bi(2)O(3). The result reveals that the Au loaded on α-Bi(2)O(3) plays a critical role in the separation of the electron and hole pairs by accumulating the electrons from the excited α-Bi(2)O(3), which is responsible for the enhanced photocatalytic activity.