Substitution Effect on the Photocatalytic Degradation by the Series AxBi26-xMo10O68+0.5y (A = Ba, y = 0; A = Bi, La, y = 2): A Kinetic Study

Abstract

The compounds Ba₂Bi₂₄Mo₁₀O₆₈ and La₂Bi₂₄Mo₁₀O₆₉ were synthesized by the ceramic route and characterized by single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, respectively. The structure of these phases is isostructural with that of Bi₂₆Mo₁₀O₆₉. Along the b axis columns of [Bi₁₂O₁₄] units are separated by MoO₄ tetrahedra and noncolumnar A (A = Ba, La) atoms. UV−visible spectra of Bi₂₆Mo₁₀O₆₉, Ba₂Bi₂₄Mo₁₀O₆₈, and La₂Bi₂₄Mo₁₀O₆₉ suggest that band gap decreases on substitution of La and Ba for Bi at the noncolumnar site. The photocatalytic degradation of water pollutants such as phenol and substituted phenols was studied. All the catalysts show specificity toward nitro substituent at the para position in the aromatic ring.