Constructing interfacial contact for enhanced photocatalytic activity through BiOIO3/g-C3N4 nanoflake heterostructure

The highly efficient BiOIO3/g-C3N4 with unique nanoflake heterostructures were synthesized through hydrothermal method by simply depositing BiOIO3 flake on the surface of g-C3N4. Photocatalytic ability of nanoflakes was tested by oxidation of gaseous Hg0 under 18 W and 24 W LED light irradiation. The g-C3N4/BiOIO3 composite with the molar ratio of 10:1 exhibited that the Hg0 removal efficiency reached up to 93.7%. The remarkable photocatalytic performance of the as-prepared catalysts can be attributed to the interfacial contact heterostructure formed between BiOIO3 and g-C3N4, which constructs an intimate interfacial interaction between the two components. Moreover, well-matched band structure can efficiently lead to the separation of photogenerated charges.