Hydrothermal synthesis of CuBi2O4 nanosheets and their photocatalytic behavior under visible light irradiation

Copper bismuth complex oxides with various novel morphologies were successfully prepared via a hydrothermal process at 120 degrees C for 3 to 24 h. The structure, morphology, composition and light absorption properties were characterized with XRD, SEM, TEM, HRTEM, EDX and UV-vis diffuse reflectance. The photocatalytic properties under visible light irradiation were evaluated using a degradation experiment. The results showed that some prepared samples exhibited a novel leaf-like nanosheet morphology with a uniform spinel CuBi2O4 structure, and their excellent visible light absorption characteristics, the photocatalytic properties exhibited a strong dependence on nanocrystal microstructure, morphology and lattice orientation.