Bismuth based nanostructures supported on TiO2 thin films and its photocatalytic performance

Abstract

The preparation of composite materials, formed with bismuth based nanostructures supported on titanium dioxide (TiO2) films, as well as their application as photocatalysts for the degradation of a malachite green dye solution is reported. The nanostructures were obtained by the laser ablation technique in liquid medium, depending on the preparation conditions, Bi or Bi2O3 nanoparticles, or Bi2O3 nanosheets are obtained. Thin films were deposited by CVD obtaining the TiO2 anatase phase. Catalyst activation was carried out using a solar simulator irradiating at 31 mW/cm2. The degree of degradation of malachite green was determined by measuring the decrease in the intensity of its characteristic absorption band at 619 nm. In general terms, the results show that thin films with Bi based nanostructures supported exhibit a better photocatalytic activity than the TiO2 sample.