β-Bi2O3 and Er3+ doped β-Bi2O3 single crystalline nanosheets with exposed reactive {0 0 1} facets and enhanced photocatalytic performance

- Porous Er3+ doped β-Bi2O3 single crystalline nanosheet was synthesized using a simple template-free method.
- The nanosheets selectively exposed reactive {0 0 1} facets as the main external surfaces.
- The porous nanosheets exhibited an enhanced photoactivity.
- The enhanced photocatalytic activity can be attributed to the exposed reactive {0 0 1} facets and the dopant.