Bi2O3/ZnO heterostructured semiconductor nanocomposites: synthesis, characterization and its visible light-induced degradation of methylene blue dye.

In this study, we describe the creation of linked semiconductor nanomaterials, which represents a significant development for photocatalytic applications. A Bi₂O₃–ZnO hetrostructured thin film was created using the SILAR-CBD deposition technique. In comparison to pure ZnO and Bi₂O₃, the produced heterostructured thin film showed greater photocatalytic (PCD) activity for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye under UV light. The formation of Bi₂O₃ (monoclinic lattice phase) and ZnO (hexagonal wurtzite phase) are the heterostructured nanomaterials that were generated, according to a powder XRD inspection. An image taken with HR-TEM demonstrates the mixing of nanoparticles and nanorod formations in the Bi₂O₃/ZnO. The vectorial movement of electrons (e⁻) and holes (h⁺) between ZnO and Bi₂O₃ is responsible for the boosted photocatalytic efficiency, which is in turn, accountable for the enhanced photocatalytic activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]