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2025
Silva, Bruno Leuzinger; Vicente, Rafael Alcides; Fernández, Pablo Sebastián; Nogueira, Ana Flávia
Photoelectrochemical Bi2Fe4O9 phase purification – Removing the phase Bi2O3 from Bi2Fe4O9/Bi2O3 thin films Journal Article
In: Electrochimica Acta, vol. 519, pp. 145852, 2025, ISSN: 0013-4686.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Bismuth ferrite (Bi₂Fe₄O₉), Multiferroic materials, Phase purification, Phase transition, Photoelectrocatalysts
@article{DASILVA2025145852,
title = {Photoelectrochemical Bi2Fe4O9 phase purification – Removing the phase Bi2O3 from Bi2Fe4O9/Bi2O3 thin films},
author = {Bruno Leuzinger Silva and Rafael Alcides Vicente and Pablo Sebastián Fernández and Ana Flávia Nogueira},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013468625002154},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2025.145852},
issn = {0013-4686},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-01-01},
journal = {Electrochimica Acta},
volume = {519},
pages = {145852},
abstract = {Multiferroic photo(electro)catalysts hold significant potential for various applications, including hydrogen generation, water treatment, and sensor development. In this context, mullite-type bismuth ferrite (Bi₂Fe₄O₉) emerges as a promising material due to its stability and suitable bandgap. However, regardless of the chosen and optimized synthesis protocol, the preparation of Bi₂Fe₄O₉ often results in the formation of unwanted secondary phases, such as Bi₂O₃, Bi₂₅FeO₃₉, Fe₂O₃, and BiFeO₃. While considerable efforts have been directed toward improving synthesis procedures, an alternative or complementary strategy lies in the development of an effective purification step—a path that has not been pursued until now. In this study, we successfully removed the Bi₂O₃ phase from Bi₂Fe₄O₉/Bi₂O₃ thin-film photoelectrodes, achieving a pure Bi₂Fe₄O₉ photoelectrode through a straightforward and accessible method that combines voltammetry and glycerol as a cost-effective complexing agent. Our findings highlight the critical role of the complexing agent in preventing the formation of bismuth(III) species, primarily in the forms of Bi₂O₃, Bi(OH)₃, and BiOOH, within the photoelectrode. This simple yet innovative approach provides a promising pathway to eliminate undesirable secondary bismuth phases, paving the way for the efficient purification of bismuth oxide-based electrodes.},
keywords = {Bismuth ferrite (Bi₂Fe₄O₉), Multiferroic materials, Phase purification, Phase transition, Photoelectrocatalysts},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Multiferroic photo(electro)catalysts hold significant potential for various applications, including hydrogen generation, water treatment, and sensor development. In this context, mullite-type bismuth ferrite (Bi₂Fe₄O₉) emerges as a promising material due to its stability and suitable bandgap. However, regardless of the chosen and optimized synthesis protocol, the preparation of Bi₂Fe₄O₉ often results in the formation of unwanted secondary phases, such as Bi₂O₃, Bi₂₅FeO₃₉, Fe₂O₃, and BiFeO₃. While considerable efforts have been directed toward improving synthesis procedures, an alternative or complementary strategy lies in the development of an effective purification step—a path that has not been pursued until now. In this study, we successfully removed the Bi₂O₃ phase from Bi₂Fe₄O₉/Bi₂O₃ thin-film photoelectrodes, achieving a pure Bi₂Fe₄O₉ photoelectrode through a straightforward and accessible method that combines voltammetry and glycerol as a cost-effective complexing agent. Our findings highlight the critical role of the complexing agent in preventing the formation of bismuth(III) species, primarily in the forms of Bi₂O₃, Bi(OH)₃, and BiOOH, within the photoelectrode. This simple yet innovative approach provides a promising pathway to eliminate undesirable secondary bismuth phases, paving the way for the efficient purification of bismuth oxide-based electrodes.