Synthesis and photocatalytic properties of BiOCl nanowire arrays

Bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl) nanowire arrays have been successfully prepared employing the Anodic Aluminum Oxide (AAO) template assisted sol–gel method. Nanowires of 100 nm diameter and length 2–6 μm, assembled in the porous of AAO templates, were formed. XRD and HRTEM results show that the nanowires are pure BiOCl polycrystal phase without Bi2O3 or BiCl3. The photocatalytic activity of BiOCl nanowire arrays was investigated by the degradation of Rhodamine B dye solution under UV irradiation.