Title: Low-temperature synthesis and characterisation of its photocatalytic properties of BiNbO₄ by combustion method using polyvinyl alcohol

Authors: Bac Quang Nguyen; Nhiem Ngoc Dao; Dung Trung Doan; Chuc Ngoc Pham; Chi Ha Thi Nguyen; Lim Thi Duong

Addresses: Institute of Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Hanoi, 122100, Vietnam ' Institute of Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Hanoi, 122100, Vietnam; Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology ' Institute of Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Hanoi, 122100, Vietnam ' Institute of Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Hanoi, 122100, Vietnam ' Institute of Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Hanoi, 122100, Vietnam; Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology ' Institute of Geography, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Hanoi, 122100, Vietnam

Abstract: BiNbO₄ nanopowders were synthesised by polyvinyl alcohol sol-gel combustion method using freshly starting material Nb₂O₅. nH₂O. The prepared samples were characterised by X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and thermal gravimetric and differential thermal analysis. The orthorhombic single phase calcined at 750°C for 2 h in the air was thoroughly studied with the highest photocatalytic properties in 25 nm average size. Methyl orange was used to evaluate the photocatalytic properties of BiNbO₄under the visible light irradiation which was degraded by 98%. The regeneration ability of the catalyst was reduced by only 1.65% from 98.85% to 97.20% after using four-times without recovery.

Keywords: BiNbO₄ nanopowders; combustion method; methylene orange degradation; polyvinyl alcohol.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMP.2018.096140

International Journal of Microstructure and Materials Properties, 2018 Vol.13 No.3/4, pp.161 - 172

Received: 23 Nov 2017
Accepted: 29 May 2018
Published online: 13 Nov 2018 *

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