Nd modified BaSn oxide composite nanorods and their photocatalytic activity toward gentian violet

Nd modified BaSn oxide composite nanorods (NdBSCNRs) with different Nd contents were synthesized by an in-situ photo-deposition process. The composite nanorods were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, solid diffuse reflectance spectrum, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectra. The composite nanorods consist of monoclinic BaSn(OH)6, orthorhombic SnO2, monoclinic Ba(OH)2, cubic Nd2O3 and hexagonal Nd phases. The composite nanorods with the diameter of 50-150 nm and poly-crystalline structure are covered with the nanoparticles in the size of about 50 nm. Comparing with the BSCNRs, the band gap of the NdBSCNRs decreases to 3.34 eV increasing the light absorption ability. The NdBSCNRs exhibit enhanced photocatalytic performance towards gentian violet (GV) under ultraviolet (UV) light illumination owing to Nd modification. The photocatalytic activity of the NdBSCNRs is closely relative to the dosage of the composite nanorods and Nd content. The reaction rate constant k value of the NdBSCNRs for GV degradation increases obviously with the highest k value (0.037 min−1) which is 7.4 times of that (0.005 min−1) of the BSCNRs. Superoxide ion radicals, hydroxyl radicals and holes are the main reactive species, and the NdBSCNRs are stable and recoverable for the GV degradation.