Flower-like Bi2O2CO3: Facile synthesis and their photocatalytic application in treatment of dye-containing wastewater

A facile, fast and low-cost method was developed for the synthesis of novel flower-like Bi2O2CO3 in an aqueous medium with the assistance of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The as-synthesized flower-like Bi2O2CO3 was characterized using the powder X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra, and N2 adsorption–desorption techniques. It was found that the nanomaterial exhibited high photocatalytic efficiency towards the degradation of wastewater dyes (rhodamine-B, methylene orange, crystal violet or their mixture) under UV–vis light irradiation. There was only a slight decrease in photocatalytic activity after 5-time recycling (with above 99% removal), suggesting that the catalyst is highly stable and reusable. The relationship between structure and catalytic performance of the flower-like Bi2O2CO3 was investigated. It is deduced that the high photocatalytic activity can be attributed to the flower-like morphology, thin nanopetals, low band gap, and large specific surface area.

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► Flower-like Bi2O2CO3 were fast synthesized at room temperature.
► The Bi2O2CO3 showed high photocatalytic activity in dye degradation.
► The Bi2O2CO3 also demonstrated good photostability and recyclability.