Er³⁺/Yb³⁺co-doped bismuth molybdate nanosheets upconversion photocatalyst with enhanced photocatalytic activity

In this paper, we report the microwave hydrothermal synthesis of Er ³⁺/Yb³⁺ co-doped Bi₂MoO₆ upconversion photocatalyst. Crystal structure, morphology, elemental composition, optical properties and BET surface area were analyzed in detail. Infrared to visible upconversion luminescence at 532 nm and 546 nm of the co-doped samples was investigated under excitation at 980 nm. The results revealed that the co-doping of Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ into Bi ₂MoO₆ exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity for the decomposition of rhodamine B under simulated solar light irradiation. Enhanced photocatalytic activity can be attributed to the energy transfer between Er ³⁺/Yb³⁺ and Bi₂MoO₆ via infrared to visible upconversion from Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ ion and higher surface area of the Bi₂MoO₆ nanosheets. Therefore, this synthetic approach may exhibit a better alternative to fabricate upconversion photocatalyst for integral solar light absorption.