Influence of Gd3+ Ions Substitution on the Structure and Properties of Bi-BTC for Photocatalysts.

A novel material Bi1-xGdx-BTC was obtained in situ via the solvothermal method. The effects of Gd3+ substitution on the Bi-BTC structure and photocatalytic properties of Bi1-xGdx-BTC were investigated. A standard Bi-BTC structure was observed in the X-ray diffraction spectra of the Bi1-xGdx-BTC(x ≤ 0.07). However, some diffraction peaks were changed when the x is more than 0.07 due to the different ion radius. The developed Bi1-xGdx-BTC samples exhibited higher photocatalytic activity than the pure Bi-BTC material. In RhB degradation experiments, the Bi1-xGdx-BTC(x = 0.03 and x = 0.05) materials show degradation efficiency conversion of 71% within 60 min under visible light. The high photodegradation efficiency of Bi1-xGdx-BTC could be ascribed to efficient charge transfer between Bi(III) ions and Gd(III) ions. Moreover, an active species trapping experiment confirmed that photo-generated ·O2- and ·OH is the major species involved in RhB degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]