Facile synthesis of hierarchical BiOCl_xBr_1–x solid solution with enhanced photocatalytic activity

Abstract

The hierarchical BiOCl_xBr_1–x was synthesized by a simple solvothermal method. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller adsorption method. Compared to pure BiOCl or BiOBr, the BiOCl_xBr_1–x solid solution has enhanced photocatalytic degradation activity for rhodamine B. This phenomenon can be explained to the hierarchical structure, lager specific surface area and appropriate energy gap of the obtained BiOCl_xBr_1–x solid solution. The renewability and stability of photocatalyst were determinated and a possible mechanism of photocatalytic degradation was also proposed.

Keywords

bismuth oxyhalides / solid solution / hierarchical structure / photocatalytic degradation

References

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