Ln(IO3)3 (Ln = Ce, Nd, Eu, Gd, Er, Yb) Polycrystals As Novel Photocatalysts for Efficient Decontamination under Ultraviolet Light Irradiation.

Ln(IO3)3 (Ln = Ce, Nd, Eu, Gd, Er, Yb) polycrystals were hydrothermally synthesized using lanthanide nitrate or lanthanide oxide and iodic add as precursors. X-ray diffraction was used to characterize the crystal structures of the Ln(IO3) 3 products. Scanning electron microscopy was carried out to observe the microscopic morphologies. The lattice spacings were studied by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction. We evaluated the photo-catalytic efficiency by decomposing methyl orange dye under ultraviolet light irradiation, and the Ln(IO3)3 products show excellent photocatalytic properties. To rule out the effect of photosensitization, 2,4-dichlorophenol was also photodegraded. As one of the key factors of photocatalysis, ultraviolet--visible diffuse reflectance spectra of the Ln(IO3) 3 samples were also studied, and all products have strong absorption in the ultraviolet region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]