Low crystallized BiOCl0.75I0.25 synthesized in mixed solvent and its photocatalytic properties under simulated solar irradiation

Photocatalyst of BiOCl0.75I0.25 was synthesized through a precipitation method by adjusting the different volume ratio of ethylene glycol (EG) and water (H2O). X-ray diffraction, Raman, field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy showed that the EG/H2O (V/V) affected the characters of the synthesized solid. All the composite materials formed in a mixed solvent had lower crystallinity, smaller particle size and greater surface area than those made in pure water. Catalyst synthesized in EG/H2O=1/4 media showed the best adsorption extent and photocatalytic ability in removing p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (p-HPA) from water. p-HPA was degraded completely after two hours under simulated solar irradiation (λ>290 nm) and natural sun light.