Synthesis of Bi4O5I2 microbars for pollutant degradation through a photocatalytic process

• DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2023.133888
• Publication Date: 2023-01-16T16:11:56Z
• Authors: Michael Zuarez-Ch...; Damián Tuba-Guamán; Miguel Quishpe; Katherine Pazmiño; Karla Vizuete; Alexis Debut; Pablo A. Cisneros...; Carlos Reinoso; Cristian Santacruz; Andrea Salgado; Carlos R. Arroyo; Peter Iza; Natividad Miguel; Zulay Niño-Ruiz; Miguel Herrera-Ro...
• Keywords: Degradation; Monoclinic crystal system; Photodegradation

Bi4O5I2 microbars were synthesized by a hydrothermal method and then characterized using a set of instrumental techniques. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed the successful preparation of Bi4O5I2 microbars. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of the sample were well indexed to the monoclinic phase of Bi4O5I2. The elemental composition was studied by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and it was similar to the theorical formula Bi4O5I2. The synthetized microbars despite of their low visible-light response could degrade up to 92.66% of Bisphenol A under white light-emitting diode (LED) light irradiation. The photocatalytic degradation and mineralization tests showed that Bi4O5I2 microbars could be efficiently used for the degradation of organic chemical pollutants.