Facile synthesis and enhanced photocatalytic activity of Sm(OH)3 nanorods

Samarium hydroxide (Sm(OH)(3)) nanorods with enhanced photocatalytic activity to degrade RhB were prepared by a facile precipitation method. The phase composition, morphology and optical properties of the as-prepared sample were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The results show that the as-prepared Sm(OH)(3) nanocrystallites are hexagonal phase with a rod-like microstructure, and exhibit a strong absorption ability of UV light. Moreover, the low temperature precipitation synthesis introduced an amorphous layer on the Sm(OH)(3) nanorods, which was confirmed to have a positive impact on improving the photocatalytic activity of Sm(OH)(3) nanorods.