Selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol into benzaldehyde over semiconductors under visible light: The case of Bi12O17Cl2 nanobelts

- The selectivity of photocatalytic oxidation of benzyl alcohol is highly dependent on the position of valence band of semiconductors.
- Bi12O17Cl2 nanobelts could selectively oxidize benzyl alcohol into benzaldehyde under visible light via direct hole oxidation.
- The exact role of molecular oxygen during Bi12O17Cl2 photocatalysis is clarified.