Characterization of Au Nanoparticles Supported on Bi2MoO6 Nanoplates Used for Efficient Photocatalysis of RhB under Visible Light Irradiation

Au/Bi2MoO6 nanocomposites as visible-light-driven photocatalyst were prepared by sonochemical-assisted deposition method using ethylene glycol as a reducing agent. X-ray powder diffraction patterns, XPS spectra, and SEM and TEM images of Au/Bi2MoO6 nanocomposites confirmed the coexisted metallic Au0 nanoparticles and orthorhombic Bi2MoO6 nanoplates to form Schottky barriers. DRS spectra of Au/Bi2MoO6 nanocomposites have the absorption band in UV-visible light region higher than pure Bi2MoO6 nanoplates. The localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect of Au nanoparticles played the role in enhancing the separation of charge carriers and the photocatalytic performance of Bi2MoO6 nanoplates. The effect of Au nanoparticles loaded on Bi2MoO6 nanoplates was monitored through rhodamine B (RhB) degradation under visible light irradiation. In this research, 5% Au/Bi2MoO6 nanocomposites have the highest degradation efficiency of 98.77% within 150 min. Active species involved in the photodegradation of RhB were investigated by trapping experiment and explained according to the results.