Facile fabrication of p-BiOI/n-Zn2SnO4 heterostructures with highly enhanced visible light photocatalytic performances

• The BiOI/Zn2SnO4 photocatalysts were prepared by a mild wet chemical method.
• The ZB-1/2 (Zn to Bi molar ratio = 1/2) exhibits the best photocatalytic activity.
• The enhanced performance results from high separation of photogenerated carriers.

New BiOI/Zn2SnO4 p–n heterojunction photocatalysts were prepared by anchoring n-type Zn2SnO4 nanoparticles on p-type BiOI plates. The physicochemical characteristics of the catalysts were studied by X-ray powder diffraction pattern (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), Ultraviolet visible (UV–vis) diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), nitrogen adsorption–desorption, and photoelectrochemistry measurement. The as-prepared catalysts exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity for the decomposition of methyl orange (MO) under visible light irradiation. The enhanced photocatalytic performance of BiOI/Zn2SnO4 was not only attributed to the matched band potentials but also the interconnected heterojunction of BiOI and Zn2SnO4 nanoparticles.

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