A simple process for the preparation of photocatalytically active bismuth aluminate nanoparticles

Abstract

Various amino acids (i.e. phenylalanine, glycine, and arginine) were used in the sol–gel synthesis of Bi2 Al4O9 and their effects on the size, morphology and uniformity ofthe product were evaluated through characterizing the products by electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and ultraviolet– visible spectroscopy. Further vibrating sample magnetom-etery was used for studying the magnetism properties of Bi2 Al4O9 sample. The studies on the band gap of the product indicated that the product can have the potentials to act as a photocatalyst in the photo-oxidation of organic dyes under visible irradiation, and it was found that the Bi2 Al4O9 lead to the degradation of rhodamine B up to about 92% after 200 min, and hence possesses an effective photocatalytic activity.