A superior visible light-driven photocatalyst: rare earth-loaded Bi₂MoO₆ catalysts

Bi₂MoO₆ catalysts with rare earth dopants have been successfully synthesized using the facile hydrothermal method. The morphologies, phase content, and optical absorption properties of these catalysts with rare earth dopants are measured via X-ray diffractometer (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-DRS) techniques. The internal relationship between these measurement properties have also been analyzed. Our results suggest that in the Nd and Sm-doping cases, one new phase Bi_3.64Mo_0.36O_6.55 has been synthesized. The morphologies and microstructures of Bi₂MoO₆ system have also been changed correspondingly. The photocatalytic activities of these doped Bi₂MoO₆ samples are also evaluated via the photodegradation of RhB under visible light irradiation. The results indicate that, with rare earth doping, the photocatalytic activities of these Bi₂MoO₆ samples have been greatly improved. Moreover, the mechanism about the enhancement of photocatalytic activity has also been discussed.