Structural transformation in Bi2O3 and its application for photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes.

In this work, bismuth oxide (Bi₂O₃) photocatalyst was prepared using nitrates of bismuth through a single step microwave method. These Bi₂O₃ photocatalysts were analysed by using various techniques such as XRD, Raman, UV-Vis spectroscopy and time resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) life time measurements. The Bi₂O₃ photocatalyst was formed with tetragonal structure in the as-prepared form and it was structurally transformed into a monoclinic phase with appropriate heat-treatment at 550 ᵒC. This was noticed as a phase transformation from β-phase (tetragonal) to α-phase (monoclinic structure) which has been confirmed by XRD and Raman spectroscopy analysis. The synthesized Bi₂O₃ photocatalyst with monoclinic phase was tested for the photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (Rh-B) under Sun light irradiation and the results are discussed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]