Hydrothermal formation of N-doped (BiO)2CO3 honeycomb-like microspheres photocatalysts with bismuth citrate and dicyandiamide as precursors

- The N-doped (BiO)2CO3 microspheres were fabricated by hydrothermal method.
- Dicyandiamide played dual roles in the formation of hierarchical microspheres.
- The morphology of N-doped (BiO)2CO3 can be tuned by reaction temperature.
- A novel growth mechanism of N-doped (BiO)2CO3 microspheres was proposed.
- The N-doped (BiO)2CO3 exhibited excellent visible light activity for NO removal.