A novel BiOCl/BiOCOOH heterojunction photocatalyst with significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity

A simple solvothermal method was reported to prepare a novel BiOCl/BiOCOOH heterojunction photocatalyst. The as prepared composite photocatalysts exhibited significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity for RhB degradation under simulated sunlight. The composite photocatalysts even exhibited much higher activity than that of P25. The effect of the BiOCl amount on the activity of the composites was also investigated. Results showed that apparent rate constant of the optimal sample was 3, 7.7 and 35.9 times as high as that of P25, BiOCl and BiOCOOH, respectively. The composites would be promising material for the removal of contaminants in water.