Open AccessVisible-active photocatalytic behaviors observed in nanostructured lead chalcogenides PbX (X = S, Se, Te)
Author(s) -
Liang Qiao,
H.C. Wang,
Yang Shen,
Yuanhua Lin,
CeWen Nan
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
aip advances
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.421
H-Index - 58
ISSN - 2158-3226
DOI - 10.1063/1.4940304
Subject(s) - photocatalysis , photodegradation , materials science , visible spectrum , band gap , nanoparticle , hydrothermal circulation , congo red , semiconductor , nanotechnology , chemical engineering , optoelectronics , chemistry , catalysis , adsorption , biochemistry , engineering
Nanostructured lead chalcogenides (PbX, X = Te, Se, S) were prepared via a simple hydrothermal method. The powder samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, SAED and DRS. Phase composition and microstructure analysis indicate that these samples are pure lead chalcogenides phases and have similar morphologies. These lead chalcogenides display efficient absorption in the UV-visible light range. The photocatalytic properties of lead chalcogenides nanoparticles were evaluated by the photodegradation of Congo red under UV-visible light irradiation in air atmosphere. The Congo red solution can be efficiently degraded under visible light in the presence of lead chalcogenides nanoparticles. The photocatalytic activities of lead chalcogenides generally increase with increasing their band gaps and shows no appreciable loss after repeated cycles. Our results may be useful for developing new photocatalyst systems responsive to visible light among narrow band gap semiconductors