Synthesis and Photocatalytic Properties of Bi2Ti2O7 Nano-Powders
Bi2Ti2O7 nanopowders were prepared using bismuth nitrate and tetrabutyl titanate as starting materials by sol-gel method. The decomposition of precursors, crystal structure and microstructure of the sample was characterized by TG/DTA, XRD and TEM techniques, and the results indicate that the sample is well-crystallized pyrochlore Bi2Ti2O7 phase with spherical shape and an average grain size of 30 nm. Photocatalytic activity of Bi2Ti2O7 powders was evaluated by photodegrading methyl orange solution. The result shows that Bi2Ti2O7 has a higher photocatalytic activity than TiO2 (mixed with rutile and anatase) with the same concentration, and when concentration of Bi2Ti2O7 increased to 9g/L, half-life period T1/2 is 0.97h, then methyl orange solution can be completely degraded in more than an hour.