Synthesis and X-ray diffraction studies of new photocatalyst Zn_1-xPb_xBi_2O_4

Photocatalysis is based on the principle of activating a semiconductor using the energy provided by light. The semiconductor is considered as a catalyst. Its principle is close to heterogeneous catalysis where the oxidation-reduction reaction takes place on the surface of the catalyst. We want from this study to see the substitution effect of Zn²⁺ by Pb²⁺ with different concentrations on the crystal structure of Zn₁₋ₓPbxBi₂O₄ (x=0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5) and also on the volume of its cell. the results show that the cell parameters can increase or decreases with increasing concentrations of Pb²⁺ due to different physical phenomenous inside cell. Photocatalyst Zn₁₋ₓPbxBi₂O₄ (x=0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5) were synthesized by solid state method. All samples are characterized by X-raydiffraction (XRD), and Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The FTIRspectroscopy shows generally that transmittance decreases with increasingconcentration of Pb²⁺ in materials.