UV-light induced photocatalytic decolorization of Rhodamine 6G molecules over BiOCl from aqueous solution

The sorption and photocatalytic decolorization (under irradiation of monochromaticitic 355 nm-pulsed-laser) behaviors of Rhodamine 6G (Rh 6G) in presence of BiOCl semiconductor in aqueous solution were studied in this paper. The sorption kinetic and isotherm behaviors of Rh 6G over BiOCl catalyst were investigated and discussed through pseudo-second-order/intraparticle diffusion models and Langmuir/Freundlich models, respectively. The effect of critical parameters such as catalyst dosage, initial concentration of Rh 6G, and laser pulse energy on the photocatalytic decolorization process was investigated. The photocatalytic decolorization and photonic efficiency of BiOCl was compared with standard catalyst (TiO2) and the obtained results were discussed in terms of their band edge position. Finally, the chemical stability of BiOCl photocatalyst was studied by measuring the X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of BiOCl samples after the reaction.