F–Bi4TaO8Cl flower-like hierarchical structures: controlled preparation, formation mechanism and visible photocatalytic hydrogen production

Abstract

Flower-like hierarchical structures of F–Bi₄TaO₈Cl were prepared via a facile hydrothermal route. The formation mechanism has been revealed to be a fluorine-mediated stepwise growth of F–Bi₄TaO₈Cl on the basis of the experimental results. The photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared product has been evaluated for hydrogen production by splitting water under visible light irradiation. It has been observed that flower-like hierarchical structures exhibited high photocatalytic activity compared with commercial Ta₂O₅, which may be ascribed to its unique hierarchical structure, greater light collection and harvesting ability, efficient charge separation and low band gap (2.25 eV). Our work provides a promising strategy for the controlled synthesis of visible-light driven photocatalysts for hydrogen production and can be potentially extended for the controlled synthesis and design of other semiconductors for energy production and environmental remediation.