Synthesis of morphology-controlled bismutite for selective applications

Abstract

Bismutite (Bi₂O₂CO₃) possessing diverse morphologies, namely nanosheets, nanodiscs and nanoplatelets, was synthesized by a simple controllable method using bismuth nitrate pentahydrate and urea as precursors in a water/ethylene glycol mixture. The as-synthesized samples showed unique physical and chemical properties, such as varying morphology, phase identification, chemical composition, surface area and surface potential. Bi₂O₂CO₃ nanosheets exhibited excellent adsorption capabilities for anionic dyes (acid orange 7 and methyl orange) and high photocatalytic performance for the decolorization of cationic dyes (rhodamine B and methylene blue) under simulated solar illumination. Furthermore, the electrochemical performance of Bi₂O₂CO₃ nanosheets showed good capacitance properties and hence could be a potential candidate for electrode materials in energy related applications.