Synthesis and characterization of visible light responsive Bi3NbO7 porous nanosheets photocatalyst

• Bi3NbO7 (BNO) semiconductor nanosheets was prepared through a facile method.
• The nanosheets with porous structures could be obtained by regulating the experimental conditions.
• These nanosheets were single crystals.
• The porous BNO samples exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity and stability.

Bi3NbO7 single crystal nanosheets have been fabricated through a solvothermal method. The characterization results show that the phase and morphology could be controlled by adjusting reaction parameters such as urea content and pH value. Under appropriate conditions, Bi3NbO7 nanosheets with square pores can be obtained. These novel porous nanosheets are potential photocatalysts with the narrow band gap which allows to utilizing visible light irradiation for photocatalysis. The results of the photocatalytic tests exhibit the porous ones have higher activity than those nonporous ones. After four batches of photodegradation of Rhodanmine B (RhB), the samples still had stable porous structure and no deactivation.

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