ZrO2:Bi(III) NANOCRYSTALS: SYNTHESIS AND INVESTIGATION OF PHOTOCATALYTIC BEHAVIOUR IN THE REACTION OF DECOMPOSITION OF DIRECT YELLOW GX

Abstract

Doped samples were successfully synthesized using two methods: combustion and hydrothermalcalcination. The amount of Bi(III) dopant over zirconium dioxide was 10% molar. The samples have
been studied via X-ray diffraction measurements for the structural characterization. Scanning electron
microscopy was used to obtain information about the surface topography, Branauer-Emmett-Teller
(BET) technique for the measurement of the specific surface area and diffuse reflectance UV–Vis
spectroscopy for the optical analysis. Then the as-prepared samples was investigated their
photocatalytic activity in the reaction of degradation of Direct Yellow GX aqueous solution under
visible-light.
Keywords: zirconium dioxide, bismuth-doped, Direct Yellow GX, photocatalytic activity.