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Effect of temperature and reaction time during solvothermal synthesis of BiOCl on microspheres formation: implications in the photocatalytic oxidation of gallic acid under simulated solar radiation

  • Original Paper: Nano-structured materials (particles, fibers, colloids, composites, etc.)
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Abstract

Synthesis and characterization of bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl) has received much attention due to its excellent photocatalytic properties, and low toxicity that allow its potential application for environmental decontamination processes. In this work, experimental conditions (temperature and reaction time) were established to synthesize BiOCl microspheres by a solvothermal method with high photocatalytic efficiency on the degradation of 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid (gallic acid). BiOCl materials were synthesized according to a design of experiment (DoE) where temperature and reaction time were selected as varying parameters. Obtained BiOCl materials with the highest and lowest degradation toward gallic acid, were characterized using several techniques. Results showed that the applied temperature is the most important parameter during solvothermal synthesis, which influences not only morphology and structure of BiOCl, but also its thermal stability and optical properties. Response surface methodology (RSM) analysis indicated that the highest photocatalytic efficiency of synthesized BiOCl material, is obtained when the temperature and reaction time are fixed at 155 °C and 18 h, respectively. Finally, a reaction mechanism of photocatalytic oxidation of gallic acid was proposed based on an experimental tests by adding different radical’ scavengers.

Highlights

  • Determination of standard conditions (temperature and reaction time) for the synthesis of BiOCl microspheres by a solvothermal method.

  • Optimal synthesis conditions were obtained at a temperature of 155 °C and 18 h of reaction time.

  • BiOCl properties and photocatalytic efficiency depended on the synthesis temperature of the BiOCl materials.

  • Photocatalytic degradation of gallic acid using BiOCl, proceed via oxidation with h+ and •\(O_2^ -\) radicals.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the financial support given by CONICYT through the project FONDECYT Initiation No 11170431. This work was also funded by projects DIDULS PR17511 No 1020102020910 and prototype PMI 1401_PROT_02.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Investigación Multidisciplinario en Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad de La Serena, Benavente 980, La Serena, Chile

    Adriana C. Mera & C. A. Rodríguez

  2. Laboratorio Central de Análisis Químico, Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Serena, La Serena, Chile

    Adriana C. Mera & C. A. Rodríguez

  3. Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de La Serena, La Serena, Chile

    L. Pizarro-Castillo

  4. Advanced Nanocomposites Research Group (GINA). Hybrid Materials Laboratory (HML), Department of Materials Engineering (DIMAT), Faculty of Engineering, University of Concepcion, 270 Edmundo Larenas, Box 160-C, Concepcion, 4070409, Chile

    M. F. Meléndrez

  5. Unidad de Desarrollo Tecnológico, Av. Cordillera N° 2634 Parque Industrial Coronel, Box 4051, Concepción, 4191996, Chile

    M. F. Meléndrez

  6. Laboratorio de Tecnologías Limpias, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción, Concepción, Chile

    Héctor Valdés

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  1. Adriana C. Mera
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  2. C. A. Rodríguez
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  3. L. Pizarro-Castillo
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Correspondence to Adriana C. Mera.

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Mera, A.C., Rodríguez, C.A., Pizarro-Castillo, L. et al. Effect of temperature and reaction time during solvothermal synthesis of BiOCl on microspheres formation: implications in the photocatalytic oxidation of gallic acid under simulated solar radiation. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 95, 146–156 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-020-05312-0

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