The effects of Gd³⁺ doping on the physical structure and photocatalytic performance of Bi₂MoO₆ nanoplate crystals

Gd³⁺ doped Bi₂MoO₆ nanoplate crystals were fabricated by solvothermal combined calcination method. The effects of Gd³⁺ doping with different concentrations on the texture, crystal and optical properties of Bi₂MoO₆ were investigated by N₂ physical adsorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflection spectrum (UV-vis DRS), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Under simulated solar light irradiation, the influences of Gd³⁺doping on photocatalytic activity of Bi₂MoO₆ were evaluated by photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B. The characterization results showed that with Gd³⁺ doping, a contraction of lattice and a decrease in crystallite size occurred. Meanwhile, an increase in surface area over Gd³⁺ doped Bi₂MoO₆ was observed. Moreover, Gd³⁺ doping could obviously enhance the visible light harvesting of Bi₂MoO₆ and promoted the separation of photogenerated electrons and holes. With optimum Gd³⁺(6 wt%) doping, Gd/Bi₂MoO₆ exhibited the best activity and stability in degradation of Rhodamine B.