In situFabrication of alpha-Bi₂O₃/(BiO)₂CO₃Nanoplate Heterojunctions with Tunable Optical Property and Photocatalytic Activity

Authors

Huang, Y; Wang, W; Zhang, Q; Cao, JJ; Huang, RJ; Ho, WK; Lee, SC

Abstract

Exploring the full potential use of heterojunction photocatalysts containing bismuth has attracted considerable interest in recent years. Fabrication of well-defined heterojunction photocatalysts with precise modulation of their chemical composition is crucial for tuning their optical properties and photocatalytic activity. In this study, we fabricated nanoplate alpha-Bi₂O₃/(BiO)₂CO₃heterojunctions through in situ thermal treatment of (BiO)₂CO₃nanoplates synthesized using a facile hydrothermal process. Characterization results showed that the as-prepared Bi₂O₃/(BiO)₂CO₃heterojunctions possessed distinct crystal interface and exhibited pronounced structural and optical modulation, resulting in significant improvement of their photocatalytic activity for NO removal under simulated solar light irradiation compared with pristine (BiO)₂CO₃. Electron spin resonance spectroscopy showed that center dot OH radicals were the major reactive species involved in NO degradation, which is consistent with the theoretical analysis. The heterojunction formation can not only broaden the light absorption range but also improve the charge separation of photo-induced electron-hole pairs. This study is an important advancement in the development of semiconductor heterojunctions towards achieving functional photocatalysts.

Corresponding author

Huang Yu

Volume

6

Issue

Page

23435

Pub year

April, 2016

Publication name

Scientific Reports

Details

http://www.nature.com/articles/srep23435