title: Template-free fabrication of Bi2O3 and (BiO)2CO3 nanotubes and their application in water treatment.
abstract: Uniform bismuth oxide (Bi(2)O(3)) and bismuth subcarbonate ((BiO)(2)CO(3)) nanotubes were successfully synthesized by a facile solvothermal method without the need for any surfactants or templates. The synergistic effect of ethylene glycol (EG) and urea played a critical role in the formation of the tubular nanostructures. These Bi(2)O(3) and (BiO)(2)CO(3) nanotubes exhibited excellent Cr(VI)-removal capacity. Bi(2)O(3) nanotubes, with a maximum Cr(VI)-removal capacity of 79 mg g(-1), possessed high removal ability in a wide range of pH values (3-11). Moreover, Bi(2)O(3) and (BiO)(2)CO(3) nanotubes also displayed highly efficient photocatalytic activity for the degradation of RhB under visible-light irradiation. This work not only demonstrates a new and facile route for the fabrication of Bi(2)O(3) and (BiO)(2)CO(3) nanotubes, but also provides new promising adsorbents for the removal of heavy-metal ions and potential photocatalysts for environmental remediation.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Process of Ministry of Education and School of Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Xiongchu Avenue, Wuhan, 430073, PR China.
authors.forename: Fan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.forename: Guangfang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Runming
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jiliang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Hongzhe
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Rong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chen