Photocatalytic property of sillenite Bi24AlO39 crystals

Abstract Bi 24 AlO 39 crystals with sillenite structures were prepared by the chemical solution decomposition (CSD) method. The prepared powders were examined by the XRD and UV-Vis reflectance spectroscopy. The band gap of Bi 24 AlO 39 crystals was estimated to be about 2.46 eV from the UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectrum of the photocatalyst. Photocatalytic properties of Bi 24 AlO 39 catalysts were evaluated using methyl orange as a model organic compound. The photocatalytic activity of the prepared Bi 24 AlO 39 is high enough to photo-degrade 20 mg/l methyl orange in 2 h, which is similar as that of P-25 and much better than that of anatase TiO 2 prepared by us.