Synthesis of one-dimensional Bi2O3–Bi5O7I heterojunctions with high interface quality

Abstract

One-dimensional Bi₂O₃–Bi₅O₇I heterostructures with enhanced visible light photocatalytic performance were synthesized by high temperature calcination of BiOI–Bi(OHC₂O₄)·2H₂O precursors. The Bi₅O₇I nanosheets uniformly grew on the Bi₂O₃ porous rods. The photocatalytic performance of the obtained products was evaluated by degradation of methyl orange (MO) and phenol under visible light irradiation. The results show that the Bi₂O₃–Bi₅O₇I heterostructure displays higher photocatalytic activity than pure phase Bi₂O₃ and Bi₅O₇I, and MO and phenol with high concentration can be completely degraded in 60 min under visible light irradiation using the Bi₂O₃–Bi₅O₇I (DS-2) heterostructure as a photocatalyst. This enhanced photocatalytic performance is ascribed to the synergistic effect of the suitable band alignment of Bi₂O₃ and Bi₅O₇I, high interface quality and one-dimensionally ordered nanostructure. Radical scavenger experiments indicate that holes (h⁺) and superoxide radicals (˙O₂⁻) were the main active species for MO and phenol degradation during the photocatalytic process. This work will offer a simple route to design and synthesize junction structures with high interface quality for photocatalytic applications.