Bi2O3 quantum-dot decorated nitrogen-doped Bi3NbO7nanosheets: in situ synthesis and enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity

Abstract

The Bi₂O₃ quantum dots decorated nitrogen doped Bi₃NbO₇ nanosheets (Bi₂O₃/N-Bi₃NbO₇) were successfully synthesized via a facile in situ hydrothermal process as a straightforward protocol. The peony-like N-Bi₃NbO₇ hierarchical architectures decorated with surface enrichment of Bi₂O₃ quantum dots were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectra, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrum and photoluminescence spectra. The as-prepared Bi₂O₃/N-Bi₃NbO₇ heterostructures exhibited higher photocatalytic activities in the decomposition of model pollutants under visible-light irradiation than N-Bi₃NbO₇ nanosheets in the absence of any expensive metal components and co-catalysts, which could be attributed to the enhanced light absorbance multiple reflections in the heterostructures, the enhanced photosensitizing effect of the surface enriched Bi₂O₃ quantum dots and the strong interaction between Bi₂O₃ and N-Bi₃NbO₇. Furthermore, the Bi₂O₃/N-Bi₃NbO₇ heterostructures exhibited strong durability that may be ascribed to the high hydrothermal stability of the flower-like structure and the inhibition of Bi₂O₃ leaching owing to its tight chemical bonding with N-Bi₃NbO₇ nanosheets.