Microstructural Evolution and High-Performance Giant Dielectric Properties of Lu3+/Nb5+ Co-Doped TiO2 Ceramics

Giant dielectric (GD) oxides exhibiting extremely large dielectric permittivities (ε’ > 10⁴) have been extensively studied because of their potential for use in passive electronic devices. However, the unacceptable loss tangents (tanδ) and temperature instability with respect to ε’ continue to be a significant hindrance to their development. In this study, a novel GD oxide, exhibiting an extremely large ε’ value of approximately 7.55 × 10⁴ and an extremely low tanδ value of approximately 0.007 at 10³ Hz, has been reported. These remarkable properties were attributed to the synthesis of a Lu³⁺/Nb⁵⁺ co-doped TiO₂ (LuNTO) ceramic containing an appropriate co-dopant concentration. Furthermore, the variation in the ε’ values between the temperatures of −60 °C and 210 °C did not exceed ±15% of the reference value obtained at 25 °C. The effects of the grains, grain boundaries, and second phase particles on the dielectric properties were evaluated to determine the dielectric properties exhibited by LuNTO ceramics. A highly dense microstructure was obtained in the as-sintered ceramics. The existence of a LuNbTiO₆ microwave-dielectric phase was confirmed when the co-dopant concentration was increased to 1%, thereby affecting the dielectric behavior of the LuNTO ceramics. The excellent dielectric properties exhibited by the LuNTO ceramics were attributed to their inhomogeneous microstructure. The microstructure was composed of semiconducting grains, consisting of Ti³⁺ ions formed by Nb⁵⁺ dopant ions, alongside ultra-high-resistance grain boundaries. The effects of the semiconducting grains, insulating grain boundaries (GBs), and secondary microwave phase particles on the dielectric relaxations are explained based on their interfacial polarizations. The results suggest that a significant enhancement of the GB properties is the key toward improvement of the GD properties, while the presence of second phase particles may not always be effective.     

The Primary Origin of Excellent Dielectric Properties of (Co,Nb) Co-Doped TiO2 Ceramics: Electron-Pinned Defect Dipoles vs. Internal Barrier Layer Capacitor Effect

(Co, Nb) co-doped rutile TiO₂ (CoNTO) nanoparticles with low dopant concentrations were prepared using a wet chemistry method. A pure rutile TiO₂ phase with a dense microstructure and homogeneous dispersion of the dopants was obtained. By co-doping rutile TiO₂ with 0.5 at.% (Co, Nb), a very high dielectric permittivity of ε′ ≈ 36,105 and a low loss tangent of tanδ ≈ 0.04 were achieved. The sample–electrode contact and resistive outer-surface layer (surface barrier layer capacitor) have a significant impact on the dielectric response in the CoNTO ceramics. The density functional theory calculation shows that the 2Co atoms are located near the oxygen vacancy, creating a triangle-shaped 2CoV_oTi complex defect. On the other hand, the substitution of TiO₂ with Nb atoms can form a diamond-shaped 2Nb2Ti complex defect. These two types of complex defects are far away from each other. Therefore, the electron-pinned defect dipoles cannot be considered the primary origins of the dielectric response in the CoNTO ceramics. Impedance spectroscopy shows that the CoNTO ceramics are electrically heterogeneous, comprised of insulating and semiconducting regions. Thus, the dielectric properties of the CoNTO ceramics are attributed to the interfacial polarization at the internal insulating layers with very high resistivity, giving rise to a low loss tangent.     

Influences of Sr2+ Doping on Microstructure,Giant Dielectric Behavior,and Non-Ohmic Properties of CaCu3Ti4O12/CaTiO3 Ceramic Composites

The microstructure, dielectric response, and nonlinear current-voltage properties of Sr²⁺-doped CaCu₃Ti₄O₁₂/CaTiO₃ (CCTO/CTO) ceramic composites, which were prepared by a solid-state reaction method using a single step from the starting nominal composition of CCTO/CTO/xSrO, were investigated. The CCTO and CTO phases were detected in the X-ray diffraction patterns. The lattice parameter increased with increasing Sr²⁺ doping concentration. The phase compositions of CCTO and CTO were confirmed by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy with elemental mapping in the sintered ceramics. It can be confirmed that most of the Sr²⁺ ions substituted into the CTO phase, while some minor portion substituted into the CCTO phase. Furthermore, small segregation of Cu-rich was observed along the grain boundaries. The dielectric permittivity of the CCTO/CTO composite slightly decreased by doping with Sr²⁺, while the loss tangent was greatly reduced. Furthermore, the dielectric properties in a high-temperature range of the Sr²⁺-doped CCTO/CTO ceramic composites can be improved. Interestingly, the nonlinear electrical properties of the Sr²⁺-doped CCTO/CTO ceramic composites were significantly enhanced. The improved dielectric and nonlinear electrical properties of the Sr²⁺-doped CCTO/CTO ceramic composites were explained by the enhancement of the electrical properties of the internal interfaces.     

Giant Dielectric Properties of W6+-Doped TiO2 Ceramics

The effects of the sintering temperature and doping level concentration on the microstructures, dielectric response, and electrical properties of W⁶⁺-doped TiO₂ (WTO) prepared via a solid-state reaction method were investigated. A highly dense microstructure, pure rutile-TiO₂, and homogenously dispersed dopant elements were observed in all of the ceramic samples. The mean grain size increased as the doping concentration and sintering temperature increased. The presence of oxygen vacancies was studied. A giant dielectric permittivity (ε′ ~ 4 × 10⁴) and low tanδ (~0.04) were obtained in the WTO ceramic sintered at 1500 °C for 5 h. The ε′ response at a low temperature was improved by increasing the doping level concentration. The giant ε′ response in WTO ceramics can be described by the interfacial polarization at the interface between the semiconducting and insulating parts, which was supported by the impedance spectroscopy.     

Dielectric Properties of Colossal-Dielectric-Constant Na1/2La1/2Cu3Ti4O12 Ceramics Prepared by Spark Plasma Sintering

In the current study, we report on the dielectric behavior of colossal-dielectric-constant Na_1/2La_1/2Cu₃Ti₄O₁₂ (NLCTO) ceramics prepared by mechanochemical synthesis and spark plasma sintering (SPS) at 850 °C, 900 °C, and 925 °C for 10 min. X-ray powder diffraction analysis showed that all the ceramics have a cubic phase. Scanning electron microscope observations revealed an increase in the average grain size from 175 to 300 nm with an increase in the sintering temperature. SPS NLCTO ceramics showed a room-temperature colossal dielectric constant (>10³) and a comparatively high dielectric loss (>0.1) over most of the studied frequency range (1 Hz–40 MHz). Two relaxation peaks were observed in the spectra of the electrical modulus and attributed to the response of grain and grain boundary. According to the Nyquist plots of complex impedance, the SPS NLCTO ceramics have semiconductor grains surrounded by electrically resistive grain boundaries. The colossal dielectric constant of SPS NLCTO ceramics was attributed to the internal barrier layer capacitance (IBLC) effect. The high dielectric loss is thought to be due to the low resistivity of the grain boundary of SPS NLCTO.     

Significantly Improved Colossal Dielectric Properties and Maxwell—Wagner Relaxation of TiO2—Rich Na1/2Y1/2Cu3Ti4+xO12 Ceramics

In this work, the colossal dielectric properties and Maxwell—Wagner relaxation of TiO₂–rich Na_1/2Y_1/2Cu₃Ti_4+xO₁₂ (x = 0–0.2) ceramics prepared by a solid-state reaction method are investigated. A single phase of Na_1/2Y_1/2Cu₃Ti₄O₁₂ is achieved without the detection of any impurity phase. The highly dense microstructure is obtained, and the mean grain size is significantly reduced by a factor of 10 by increasing Ti molar ratio, resulting in an increased grain boundary density and hence grain boundary resistance (R_gb). The colossal permittivities of ε′ ~ 0.7–1.4 × 10⁴ with slightly dependent on frequency in the frequency range of 10²–10⁶ Hz are obtained in the TiO₂–rich Na_1/2Y_1/2Cu₃Ti_4+xO₁₂ ceramics, while the dielectric loss tangent is reduced to tanδ ~ 0.016–0.020 at 1 kHz due to the increased R_gb. The semiconducting grain resistance (R_g) of the Na_1/2Y_1/2Cu₃Ti_4+xO₁₂ ceramics increases with increasing x, corresponding to the decrease in Cu⁺/Cu²⁺ ratio. The nonlinear electrical properties of the TiO₂–rich Na_1/2Y_1/2Cu₃Ti_4+xO₁₂ ceramics can also be improved. The colossal dielectric and nonlinear electrical properties of the TiO₂–rich Na_1/2Y_1/2Cu₃Ti_4+xO₁₂ ceramics are explained by the Maxwell–Wagner relaxation model based on the formation of the Schottky barrier at the grain boundary.     

SO42-改性后的TiO2(锐钛和/或金红石)表面上MoO3的分散性质研究

采用红外(IR)、拉曼(Raman)、X-射线衍射(XRD)、程序升温还原(TPR)等方法考察了经硫酸根改性后的金红石(SR)与锐钛矿(SA)的混合比例变化时的负载型催化剂，MoO₃ / TiO₂(SR+SA)，的一些物理化学性质(如活性组分MoO₃的分散行为、表面酸碱性、氧化还原性)的变化规律。结果表明：对于MoO₃ / TiO₂(SR+SA)样品，低含量MoO₃表面分散时倾向于优先与混合载体中的改性金红石(SR)发生作用；TiO₂载体表面SO₄^2-的存在，使得载体表面产生了新的酸性位，导致样品中表面分散的钼物种主要以聚合八面体状态存在。     

掺钇锆酸锶-TiO2复合光催化剂的制备及性能研究

SrZrO₃ particles were prepared by a co-precipitation method and Sr(Zr_1-xY_x)O_3-δ -TiO₂ composite particles were then synthesized by Sr(Zr_1-xY_x)O_3-δ and titanium dioxide. The composite particles were characterized by XRD, SEM, FTIR and TG-DTA techniques. The photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) in aqueous solution was used as a probe reaction to evaluate the photocatalytic activity of the composite particles. The effect of the preparation method for SrZrO₃, doping content of yttrium and TiO₂ amount in the composite particles on the photocatalytic activity of composite particles was also discussed. The results show that the methylene blue solution could be completely degraded by Sr(Zr_1-xY_x)O_3-δ -TiO₂ composite particles under UV-light or visible light irradiation. The photocatalytic activity of composite particles was higher than that of pure TiO₂. The fast recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes were restrained by the heterojunction formed in composite particles. The particle of SrZrO₃ prepared by co-precipitation was small, and the photocatalytic activity of composite particles prepared from this kind of SrZrO₃ was higher than that of particles prepared by solid sintering method. The best doping content of yttrium is 5%. The optimal content of TiO₂ in composite particles is 90wt%, 70wt%, respectively under UV-light and visible light irradiation, the degradation rates of MB are 98.8% and 93.5% , respectively after 50 min irradiation.     

球形TiO2-Al2O3的制备、结构和理化性能研究

将Ti(SO₄)₂溶于稀盐酸合成酸性钛溶胶，再将其与铝溶胶和六次甲基四胺溶液混合后采用油柱成型法制备了球形TiO₂-Al₂O₃复合氧化物。通过XRD、低温氮吸附-脱附与NH₃-TPD等手段对样品进行表征，结果表明600 ℃焙烧得到的球形TiO₂-Al₂O₃中TiO₂以无定型形式存在;随TiO₂含量的增加，球形TiO₂-Al₂O₃的比表面积、孔容和平均孔径呈增加趋势;TiO₂的引入没有对球形TiO₂-Al₂O₃的强酸和弱酸中心的强度产生影响，弱酸中心数量显著增加，强酸中心数量稍有增加;球形TiO₂-Al₂O₃的堆密度和压碎强度随TiO₂含量的增加而减小，颗粒直径基本保持不变。     

Comparison of CO2 Reduction Performance with NH3 and H2O between Cu/TiO2 and Pd/TiO2

The aim of this study is to clarify the effect of doped metal type on CO₂ reduction characteristics of TiO₂ with NH₃ and H₂O. Cu and Pd have been selected as dopants for TiO₂. In addition, the impact of molar ratio of CO₂ to reductants NH₃ and H₂O has been investigated. A TiO₂ photocatalyst was prepared by a sol-gel and dip-coating process, and then doped with Cu or Pd fine particles by using the pulse arc plasma gun method. The prepared Cu/TiO₂ film and Pd/TiO₂ film were characterized by SEM, EPMA, TEM, STEM, EDX, EDS and EELS. This study also has investigated the performance of CO₂ reduction under the illumination condition of Xe lamp with or without ultraviolet (UV) light. As a result, it is revealed that the CO₂ reduction performance with Cu/TiO₂ under the illumination condition of Xe lamp with UV light is the highest when the molar ratio of CO₂/NH₃/H₂O = 1:1:1 while that without UV light is the highest when the molar ratio of CO₂/NH₃/H₂O = 1:0.5:0.5. It is revealed that the CO₂ reduction performance of Pd/TiO₂ is the highest for the molar ratio of CO₂/NH₃/H₂O = 1:1:1 no matter the used Xe lamp was with or without UV light. The molar quantity of CO per unit weight of photocatalyst for Cu/TiO₂ produced under the illumination condition of Xe lamp with UV light was 10.2 μmol/g, while that for Pd/TiO₂ was 5.5 μmol/g. Meanwhile, the molar quantity of CO per unit weight of photocatalyst for Cu/TiO₂ produced under the illumination condition of Xe lamp without UV light was 2.5 μmol/g, while that for Pd/TiO₂ was 3.5 μmol/g. This study has concluded that Cu/TiO₂ is superior to Pd/TiO₂ from the viewpoint of the molar quantity of CO per unit weight of photocatalyst as well as the quantum efficiency.     

PbCu3(OH)(NO3)(SeO3)3·1/2H2O und Pb2Cu3O2(NO3)2(SeO3)2: Synthese und Kristallstrukturuntersuchung

Crystals of PbCu₃(OH)(NO₃)(SeO₃)₃·1/2H₂O [a=7.761(3)Å,b=9.478(4)Å,c=9.514(4)Å, =66.94(2)°, =69.83(2)°, =81.83(2)°, space group P ,Z=2] and Pb₂Cu₃O₂(NO₃)₂(SeO₃)₂ [a=5.884(2)Å,b=12.186(3)Å,c=19.371(4)Å, space group Cmc2₁,Z=4] were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. Their crystal structures were refined with three-dimensional X-ray data toR _w=0.033 resp. 0.055. In PbCu₃(OH)(NO₃)(SeO₃)₃·1/2H₂O the Cu atoms are [4+1] and [4+2] coordinated and via SeO₃ groups a three-dimensional atomic arrangement is built up. In Pb₂Cu₃O₂(NO₃)₂(SeO₃)₂ there are sheets, which are connected only via Pb-O bonds ranging from 2.98 Å to 3.16 Å.

     

EXAFS characterization of Ti/Al2O3 supports and Co/Ti/Al2O3 catalysts

The structure of Ti/Al₂O₃ supports (0–14 wt% Ti) and Co/Ti/Al₂O₃ catalysts (3 wt% Co) was examined by EXAFS. The results indicated that the Ti was present primarily as a highly dispersed surface phase. The Ti EXAFS results indicated that the Ti species were octahedrally coordinated. Evidence of Ti—Ti interactions was found for all loadings (2–14 wt% Ti) suggesting that the Ti surface species are present as small clusters of TiO₂.The Co EXAFS results showed evidence for several structurally different Co surface phases as a function of Ti loading. Evidence of a Co species interacting with the Ti surface phase was observed for the 3% Co/2% Ti-3%Co/6%Ti catalysts. At the highest loadings studied, 3%Co/8%Ti and 3%Co/14%Ti, evidence was found for a CoTiO₃-like phase.     

Facile one-pot synthesis of 2-arylbenzothiazoles catalyzed by H3PO4/TiO2-ZrO2 (1/1) under solvent-free conditions

A highly efficient and simple protocol for the preparation of 2-arylbenzothiazoles through condensation of 2-aminothiophenol and different aldehydes in the presence of H₃PO₄/TiO₂-ZrO₂(1/1)-cetyl pyridinium bromide (CPB) is described. The reaction proceeded under mild and solvent-free conditions to afford 2-arylbenzothiazole derivatives. In this method, the title compounds were obtained in good to excellent yields and short reaction times. The structures of synthesized products were identified by infrared, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and mass spectroscopy.     

纳米CaMgSi2O6粉体的低温合成与微波介电性能

以硝酸锂、偏钒酸铵、硝酸钙、硝酸镁、正硅酸乙酯为原料，采用溶胶-凝胶法低温合成纳米CaMgSi₂O₆微波介质陶瓷粉体，研究了不同粒径粉体的烧结行为与微波介电性能。结果表明，通过在钙镁硅溶胶中引入锂钒烧结助剂可大大降低陶瓷粉体的晶相合成温度，干凝胶在750 ℃煅烧后可获得主晶相为CaMgSi₂O₆、分散性良好、粒径为78～98 nm的陶瓷粉体，可满足微型片式元器件用超薄陶瓷介质层的制备要求;该粉体在890 ℃烧结后获得致密结构的陶瓷，具有良好的微波介电性能:介电常数为7.68，品质因数为24 542 GHz，频率温度系数为-57.25×10^-6 ℃^-1。     

Improvement of high-voltage cycling behavior of Li(Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3)O2 cathodes by Mg, Cr, and Al substitution

To improve the electrochemical properties of Li[Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3]O₂ at high charge end voltage (4.6 V), a series of the mixed transition metal compounds, Li(Ni_1/3Co_{1/3 − x} Mn_1/3M _x )O₂ (M = Mg, Cr, Al; x = 0.05), were synthesized via hydroxide coprecipitation method. The effects of doping Mg, Cr, and Al on the structure and the electrochemical performances of Li[Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3]O₂ were compared by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), galvanostatic charge–discharge tests, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The XRD results show that all the samples keep layered structures with R3m space group as the Li[Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3]O₂. SEM images show that all the compounds have spherical shapes and the Cr-doped sample has the largest particle size. Furthermore, galvanostatic charge–discharge tests confirm that the Cr-doped electrode shows improved cycling performance than the undoped material. The capacity retention of Li(Ni_1/3Co_{1/3 − 0.05}Mn_1/3Cr_0.05)O₂ is 97% during 50 cycles at 2.8∼4.6 V. The improved cycling performance at high voltage can be attributed to the larger particle size and the prevention of charge transfer resistance (R _ct) increase during cycling.     

Dielectric Responses of (Zn0.33Nb0.67)xTi1−xO2 Ceramics Prepared by Chemical Combustion Process: DFT and Experimental Approaches

The (Zn, Nb)-codoped TiO₂ (called ZNTO) nanopowder was successfully synthesized by a simple combustion process and then the ceramic from it was sintered with a highly dense microstructure. The doped atoms were consistently distributed, and the existence of oxygen vacancies was verified by a Raman spectrum. It was found that the ZNTO ceramic was a result of thermally activated giant dielectric relaxation, and the outer surface layer had a slight effect on the dielectric properties. The theoretical calculation by using the density functional theory (DFT) revealed that the Zn atoms are energy preferable to place close to the oxygen vacancy (Vo) position to create a triangle shape (called the ZnVoTi defect). This defect cluster was also opposite to the diamond shape (called the 2Nb2Ti defect). However, these two types of defects were not correlated together. Therefore, it theoretically confirms that the electron-pinned defect-dipoles (EPDD) cannot be created in the ZNTO structure. Instead, the giant dielectric property of the (Zn_0.33Nb_0.67)_xTi_1−xO₂ ceramics could be caused by the interfacial polarization combined with electron hopping between the Zn²⁺/Zn³⁺ and Ti³⁺/Ti⁴⁺ ions, rather than due to the EPDD effect. Additionally, it was also proved that the surface barrier-layer capacitor (SBLC) had a slight influence on the giant dielectric properties of the ZNTO ceramics. The annealing process can cause improved dielectric properties, which are properties with a huge advantage to practical applications and devices.     

Bi_2O_3掺杂对Ag(Nb_(0.8)Ta_(0.2))O_3陶瓷结构和介电性能的影响(英文)

本文研究了Bi2O3掺杂对Ag(Nb0.8Ta0.2)O3陶瓷的结构和介电性能的影响。X射线衍射(XRD)结果表明,Bi2O3的掺杂可以使陶瓷中Ag+被还原并析出,且银析出的量随Bi2O3掺杂量的增加而不断增加,这可能源自于Bi3+对Ag+的取代。在一定范围内增大Bi2O3掺杂量可提高Ag(Nb0.8Ta0.2)O3陶瓷的室温介电常数,降低介电损耗,并使温度系数向负值方向移动。当Bi2O3的掺杂量约为3.5wt%时,样品具有较大的介电常数(ε=672)和较小的介电损耗(tanδ=7.3×10-4)。     

Pyrochlore formation, phase relations, and properties in the CaO-TiO2-(Nb,Ta)2O5 systems

Phase equilibria studies of the CaO:TiO₂:Nb₂O₅ system confirmed the formation of six ternary phases: pyrochlore (A₂B₂O₆O′), and five members of the (110) perovskite-slab series Ca_n(Ti,Nb)_nO_3n+2, with n=4.5, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Relations in the quasibinary Ca₂Nb₂O₇−CaTiO₃ system, which contains the Ca_n(Ti,Nb)_nO_3n+2 phases, were determined in detail. CaTiO₃ forms solid solutions with Ca₂Nb₂O₇ as well as CaNb₂O₆, resulting in a triangular single-phase perovskite region with corners CaTiO₃-70Ca₂Ti₂O₆:30Ca₂Nb₂O₇-80CaTiO₃:20CaNb₂O₆. A pyrochlore solid solution forms approximately along a line from 42.7:42.7:14.6 to 42.2:40.8:17.0 CaO:TiO₂:Nb₂O₅, suggesting formulas ranging from Ca_1.48Ti_1.48Nb_1.02O₇ to Ca_1.41Ti_1.37Nb_1.14O₇ (assuming filled oxygen sites), respectively. Several compositions in the CaO:TiO₂:Ta₂O₅ system were equilibrated to check its similarity to the niobia system in the pyrochlore region, which was confirmed. Structural refinements of the pyrochlores Ca_1.46Ti_1.38Nb_1.11O₇ and Ca_1.51Ti_1.32V_0.04Ta_1.10O₇ using single-crystal X-ray diffraction data are reported (Fd3m (#227), a=10.2301(2) Å (Nb), a=10.2383(2) Å (Ta)), with Ti mixing on the A-type Ca sites as well as the octahedral B-type sites. Identical displacive disorder was found for the niobate and tantalate pyrochlores: Ca occupies the ideal 16d position, but Ti is displaced 0.7 Å to partially occupy a ring of six 96g sites, thereby reducing its coordination number from eight to five (distorted trigonal bipyramidal). The O′ oxygens in both pyrochlores were displaced 0.48 Å from the ideal 8b position to a tetrahedral cluster of 32e sites. The refinement results also suggested that some of the Ti in the A-type positions may occupy distorted tetrahedra, as observed in some zirconolite-type phases. The Ca-Ti-(Nb,Ta)-O pyrochlores both exhibited dielectric relaxation similar to that observed for some Bi-containing pyrochlores, which also exhibit displacively disordered crystal structures. Observation of dielectric relaxation in the Ca-Ti-(Nb,Ta)-O pyrochlores suggests that it arises from the displacive disorder and not from the presence of polarizable lone-pair cations such as Bi³⁺.     

Bi2O3掺杂对Ag(Nb0.8Ta0.2)O3陶瓷结构和介电性能的影响

本文研究了Bi₂O₃掺杂对Ag(Nb_0.8Ta_0.2)O₃陶瓷的结构和介电性能的影响。X射线衍射(XRD)结果表明,Bi₂O₃的掺杂可以使陶瓷中Ag⁺被还原并析出,且银析出的量随Bi₂O₃掺杂量的增加而不断增加,这可能源自于Bi³⁺对Ag⁺的取代。在一定范围内增大Bi₂O₃掺杂量可提高Ag(Nb_0.8Ta_0.2)O₃陶瓷的室温介电常数,降低介电损耗,并使温度系数向负值方向移动。当Bi₂O₃的掺杂量约为3.5wt%时,样品具有较大的介电常数(ε=672)和较小的介电损耗(tanδ=7.3×10^-4)。     

Rationally Designed Bi2M2O9 (M = Mo/W) Photocatalysts with Significantly Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity

Novel Bi₂W₂O₉ and Bi₂Mo₂O₉ with irregular polyhedron structure were successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal method. Compared to ordinary Bi₂WO₆ and Bi₂MoO₆, the modified structure of Bi₂W₂O₉ and Bi₂Mo₂O₉ were observed, which led to an enhancement of photocatalytic performance. To investigate the possible mechanism of enhancing photocatalytic efficiency, the crystal structure, morphology, elemental composition, and optical properties of Bi₂WO₆, Bi₂MO₆, Bi₂W₂O₉, and Bi₂Mo₂O₉ were examined. UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy revealed the visible-light absorption ability of Bi₂WO₆, Bi₂MO₆, Bi₂W₂O₉, and Bi₂Mo₂O₉. Photoluminescence (PL) and photocurrent indicated that Bi₂W₂O₉ and Bi₂Mo₂O₉ pose an enhanced ability of photogenerated electron–hole pairs separation. Radical trapping experiments revealed that photogenerated holes and superoxide radicals were the main active species. It can be conjectured that the promoted photocatalytic performance related to the modified structure, and a possible mechanism was discussed in detail.