Synthesis and characterization of novel PPy/Bi2O2CO3 composite with improved photocatalytic activity for degradation of Rhodamine-B

Abstract Photocatalyst Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 modified by polypyrrole (PPy) was synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method. As-prepared PPy/Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). Presence of PPy did not affect the crystal structure, but exerted great influence on the photocatalytic activity of Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 and enhanced absorption band of pure Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 . The photocatalytic activities of the PPy/Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 samples were determined by photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine-B (RhB) under ultra violet (UV) irradiation and 0.75 wt.% PPy/Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 composite showed the highest photocatalytic activity. The enhanced photocatalytic performance could be attributed to the synergistic effect of PPy and Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 . A possible photocatalytic mechanism of the PPy/Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 photocatalysts was proposed in order to guide the further improvement of its photocatalytic performance.