Morphology and optical absorption of Bi2Fe4O9 crystals via mineralizer-assisted hydrothermal synthesis--颗粒学报PARTICUOLOGY

Liu, Y., & Zuo, R. (2013). Morphology and optical absorption of Bi2Fe4O9 crystals via mineralizer-assisted hydrothermal synthesis. Particuology, 11(5), 581–587. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.partic.2012.11.002

Morphology and optical absorption of Bi₂Fe₄O₉ crystals via mineralizer-assisted hydrothermal synthesis

Yi Liu, Ruzhong Zuo^*

Institute of Electro Ceramics & Devices, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China

10.1016/j.partic.2012.11.002

Volume 11, Issue 5, October 2013, Pages 581-587

Received 15 August 2012, Revised 15 October 2012, Accepted 6 November 2012, Available online 1 February 2013.

E-mail: piezolab@hfut.edu.cn

Highlights

► Rod-like Bi₂Fe₄O₉microcrystals were synthesized using KNO₃ mineralizer in hydrothermal process.

► Ostwald ripening may be the likely formation mechanism for the Bi₂Fe₄O₉ microrods.

► The prepared powder exhibits potential applications as a photocatalyst under visible light.

Abstract

Submicron-sized Bi₂Fe₄O₉ crystals were successfully synthesized via the hydrothermal method, while micron-sized Bi₂Fe₄O₉ crystals with rod-like morphologies were obtained in the presence of the mineralizer KNO₃. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were employed to characterize the products. According to a series of time-dependent experiments, it was concluded that the likeliest formation mechanism for the microrods was the Ostwald ripening process. It was proposed that the blocking effect of NO₃⁻contributed to the formation of the rod-like powders. Moreover, the optical absorption of the prepared Bi₂Fe₄O₉ crystals was measured using an UV–vis spectrophotometer, indicating that Bi₂Fe₄O₉ powders can be used as effective photocatalysts under visible light.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Hydrothermal synthesis; Crystal growth; Bi₂Fe₄O₉ crystals

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