Flower-like Bi12O17Cl2/β-Bi2O3 heterojunction for photocatalytic wastewater purification

Abstract

Non-stoichiometric bismuth oxyhalides represent a category of semiconductor photocatalysts with extensive application potential. Herein, Bi2O3, Bi12O17Cl2, and Bi12O17Cl2/β-Bi2O3 microsphere materials were prepared through the calcination. The photocatalytic degradation performance of Bi12O17Cl2/β-Bi2O3 composite microspheres on methylene blue (MB) simulated wastewater under visible light was investigated. The results indicate that the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of MB can reach up to 91.50% in a 10 mg/L solution by Bi12O17Cl2/β-Bi2O3 composite microspheres. The photocatalytic mechanism of Bi12O17Cl2/β-Bi2O3 was explored using free radical trapping experiments, UV-vis DRS, and Nyquist curve analysis, revealing that the material forms a type II heterostructure. This work presents a novel perspective on the design of advanced coupledsemiconductor materials for the degradation of organic pollutants.