Heterostructure nano-NiO/BiOCl composites with advanced adsorption and photocatalytic performance for organic dyes

Bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl) micro-particles with the heterostructure of deposited nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by a green and facile hydrolysis method. Characterisation results confirmed that a NiO/BiOCl heterostructure was present due to the observation of clear absorption bands in UV-vis DRS attributed to the interaction of NiO and BiOCl. The as-prepared NiO/BiOCl sample (with molar ratio of 0.4:1) exhibited an advanced adsorption capacity and photocatalytic ability for photodegradation of methyl orange under visible light irradiation. The photodegradation of MO showed that approximately 95% of MO molecules were degraded in the presence of NiO/BiOCl after irradiation for 30 min. All the experimental results revealed that NiO nano-heterostructure was not only responsible for high visible light photocatalytic activity, but it also played a vital role in improving separation of the photogenerated holes and electrons.