Synthesis of Li-doping tetragonal-Bi2O3 nanomaterial with high efficient visible light photocatalysis

In this work, LixBiOy compounds were synthesized via a facile calcination method. It was surprising that the as-prepared Li7BiO6 compounds transformed into Li-doping tetragonal Bi2O3 phase after undergoing water washing disposal, which was well verified by combining XRD and HR-TEM. In addition, the energy bandgap of prepared compound was derived based on UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectrum and results indicate the formation of a lower band gap when increasing Li dopant concentration. Moreover, the Li-doping tetragonal Bi2O3 exhibited high visible light-driven photocatalytic activity and the methylene blue can be well degraded in 10 min. The enhanced photocatalytic activity was ascribed to the improvement of light response and charge transfer. Our current work will boost the development of photocatalysis and bring insight into other LixMO6 (e.g., Li6WO6, Li7TabO6, Li7NbO6, Li8ZrO6) compounds to extend their photocatalytic application.