Synthesis and characterization of Bi12O17Cl2 nanowires obtained by chlorination of α-Bi2O3 nanowires

•Bi12O17Cl2 nanowires were synthesized for the first time.•Bi12O17Cl2 nanowires were obtained by chlorination of α-Bi2O3.•The optical band gap was determined ~2.28 eV by UV/vis absorption measurement.•Intense green and red emissions were observed at room temperature.

Bismuth oxychloride (Bi12O17Cl2) nanowires, for the first time, were successfully synthesized by chlorination of α-Bi2O3 nanowires at 350–400 °C. The as-grown sample consists of nanowires with diameters 200–400 nm and lengths of 10–15 μm. XRD results show that the obtained nanowires are tetragonal structure. Both EDS and XPS confirm the composition and stoichiometry of Bi12O17Cl2 nanowires. The optical band gap of Bi12O17Cl2 nanowires was estimated to be 2.28 eV by absorption measurement. The Bi12O17Cl2 nanowires exhibit intense green (568 nm) and red (746 nm) emissions at room temperature. The obtained Bi12O17Cl2 nanowires may be potentially useful as photocatalysts and visible-light luminescent materials.

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