Photoinduced synthesis of Bi2O3 nanotubes based on oriented attachment

Abstract

Photoinduced synthesis of inorganic nanomaterials has attracted great attention recently. Herein, we demonstrate the facile photoinduced synthesis of Bi₂O₃ nanotubes with a uniform pore size of about 2.2 nm at room temperature. Ultraviolet irradiation promoted the crystallization of amorphous bismuth hydroxide into bismuth oxide. The formation of this special tubular morphology of α-Bi₂O₃ was attributed to the small size of the bismuth hydroxide precursor and oriented attachment mechanism. What's more, α-Bi₂O₃ nanotubes can further convert to Bi₂O₂CO₃ nanosheets in organic solution with ultraviolet irradiation.