Synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic properties of nanoscale pyrochlore type Bi2Zr2O7

Abstract Developing efficient visible-light-driven photocatalysts for environmental decontamination is of considerable importance in solar energy conversion and utilization. Herein, nanoscale Bi 2 Zr 2 O 7 pyrochlore structure materials was synthesized by a facile coprecipitation method and the influence of nano-size effects on its photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) under visible light was investigated. Results show that the resultant Bi 2 Zr 2 O 7 prepared at 2 h optimum calcination time with uniform small crystal size leading to a high specific surface area exhibits the best photocatalytic performance. In addition, the possible mechanisms of the photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) over Bi 2 Zr 2 O 7 were proposed.