Tunable and rapid crystallisation of phase pure Bi2MoO6 (koechlinite) and Bi2Mo3O12 via continuous hydrothermal synthesis

Herein, we report the rapid single step hydrothermal synthesis of phase pure Bi2MoO6 (koechlinite) and Bi2Mo3O12, via a continuous hydrothermal flow synthesis (CHFS) reactor, which uses supercritical water of 375-450 degrees C at a pressure of 24.1 MPa as a crystallising medium. The product being obtained as highly crystalline nano-materials with high surface area. Simple variation in synthesis condition and appropriate solution stoichiometry were shown to be sufficient to select the phase of the product. The materials synthesised showed significant photcatalytic activity towards the decolourisation of methylene blue in comparison to a commercial gold standard photocatalyst. (c) 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.