Synergistic photocatalytic effect in Fe,Nb-doped BiOCl

• Co-doping BiOCl with Fe,Nb yields high photocatalytic activity under visible light.
• The enhanced activity of the two co-dopants is synergistic.
• The synergistic activity was not due to optical effect but due to adsorption.

Bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl) is well known for its photocatalytic activity. Here, we report on a study aimed at the effects of co-doping on photocatalysis. More BiOCl, co-doped with niobium and iron/indium/lanthanum was prepared by a low temperature procedure. The materials revealed high activity in the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B under both UV light and visible light. This high activity originated from their high specific surface areas, which more than compensated for their less-than optimal crystallinity.Of particular interest is BiOCl co-doped with niobium and iron, where a strong synergistic effect was found in the degradation of the dye. In contrast to the common experience with doping effects, the synergistic effect was not due to changes in the optical properties of the BiOCl, but due to specific interaction between the dye molecules and the co-doped photocatalyst, as manifested by the adsorption tendency of the dye. Hence, the study demonstrates that doping can be used for designing photocatalysts with high specificity.

The mechanism of photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B under UV light (A) and under visible light (B).Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide