Synthesis of Bi7F11O5/BiOCl nanosheets by a simple post-synthesis method and the improved charge separation by the heterojunction

• Bi7F11O5/BiOCl nanosheets are prepared by an simple post-synthesis method.
• The charge separation efficiency is greatly improved by the heterojunction.
• Bi7F11O5/BiOCl has an activity 3.3 and 6.4 times higher than BiOCl and Bi7F11O5, respectively.

The Bi7F11O5/BiOCl heterojunction is prepared by a simple hydrothermal method using BiOCl and NH4F as the precursors. It is found that under ultraviolet light irradiation (λ ≤ 420 nm), the activity of Bi7F11O5/BiOCl is 3.3 and 6.4 times higher than that of BiOCl and Bi7F11O5 for the degradation of methyl orange (MO), respectively. The high activity is mainly attributed to the greatly improved the separation and transfer efficiency of charges. This simple post-synthesis method is useful to develop efficient photocatalysts.

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