Synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic properties of nanoscale pyrochlore type Bi2Zr2O7

Abstract

Abstract Developing efficient visible-light-driven photocatalysts for environmental decontamination is of considerable importance in solar energy conversion and utilization. Herein, nanoscale Bi2Zr2O7 pyrochlore structure materials was synthesized by a facile coprecipitation method and the influence of nano-size effects on its photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) under visible light was investigated. Results show that the resultant Bi2Zr2O7 prepared at 2\u202fh optimum calcination time with uniform small crystal size leading to a high specific surface area exhibits the best photocatalytic performance. In addition, the possible mechanisms of the photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) over Bi2Zr2O7 were proposed.