Low temperature synthesis and photocatalytic performances of pure Bi2SiO5 powders via pechini sol–gel method

Using Bi(NO3)3·5H2O and Si(OC2H5)4 as the starting materials, citric acid and polyethylene glycol (PEG)-6000 as the complexing agents, pure Bi2SiO5 powders with good photocatalytic activity were first prepared at low temperature via Pechini sol–gel method. The effect of calcination temperature on the preparation of pure phase as well as the photocatalytic properties was investigated. The thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction results showed that the crystallization temperature of Bi2SiO5 is about 400 °C and pure sample can be obtained at 550 °C. The infrared spectra indicated the pure Bi2SiO5 samples have an Aurivillius-like structure. Furthermore, the as-prepared Bi2SiO5 exhibited efficient photocatalytic activity in the decomposition of Rhodamine B due to a synergistic effect of adsorption and photocatalysis.