Synthesis and Characterization of Bismuth Oxide Nanoparticle by Thermal Decomposition of Bismuth-Based MOF and Evaluation of Its Nanocomposite

Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are an important class of highly porous hybrid materials. A bismuth-based MOF was prepared under solvothermal conditions via the self-assembly of primary building blocks at 100 °C for 3 h. Bismuth oxide nanoparticles (Bi2O3 NPs) were prepared by calcination and thermal decomposition of a bismuth-based MOF at 550 °C for 5 h for the first time. The nanocomposite was prepared by poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) as a polymer matrix and bismuth oxide NPs as fillers. The bismuth oxide nanoparticles were characterized by Fourier Transform InfraRed (FT-IR) for determination of functional groups, X-Ray powder Diffraction (XRD) for evaluation of crystal structure, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) for investigation of size and size distribution, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) for the presentation of morphology and size, and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) for determination of chemical composition. Based on the results, the bismuth oxide nanoparticles were observed with spherical morphology and a particle size of 60 nm. The bismuth oxide nanocomposites were evaluated by X-ray dosimeter test in comparison to lead and aluminum and air adsorbents for X-ray shielding, Diffuse Reflection Spectroscopy (DRS) for UltraViolet (UV) blocking, and antibacterial activity against Salmonella bacterial. Based on the results, the X-ray shielding is 31.9% compared with the lead with a thickness of 0.25 mm and 81.53% compared with aluminum with a thickness of 3 mm for the bismuth oxide nanocomposite. This nanocomposite has 70% UV blocking with antibacterial activity and it can have a good potential for biomedical and industrial applications.