Factors affecting photocatalytic performance through the evolution of the properties due to the phase transition from NaBiO₃·2H₂O to BiO_2–x

Abstract

The phase transition process of a photocatalytic system from NaBiO₃·2H₂O to BiO_2–x has been investigated to understand the important factors that affect photocatalytic performance in a composite system. It is found that a proper amount of BiO_2–x on the surface of NaBiO₃·2H₂O could effectively suppress the electron/hole recombination and increase the exposed reactive sites for photocatalytic reaction. A fully covered BiO_2–x on NaBiO₃·2H₂O results in a dramatical decrease of photocatalytic degradation of dye. An over long hydrothermal process can result in BiO_2–x with reduced oxygen vacancies, which degrades the photocatalytic activity. Furthermore, the photocatalytic reduction ability of CO₂ conversion has been investigated, indicating that the surface activity to different reactants also directly affects the catalytic performance. The investigation of the gradient phase transition process presents a clear guidance to construct a desired photocatalytic system, in addition to selecting gradient materials with suitable bandgap structure and a morphology with different fraction and distribution of each component. The defect evolution of each component during construction of a composite is also an important factor that should be optimized and considered in making a composite to achieve high photocatalytic efficiency.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

composite construction / distribution / BiO_2–x / evolution of defects

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