A new family of BiO(ClxBr1 − x) visible light sensitive photocatalysts

A new family of BiO(ClxBr1 − x) photocatalysts have been synthesized by a hydrothermal method. The photocatalytic activity of the new material was measured on the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) and Acetophenone (AP) and photooxidation of potassium iodide in water under UV–vis and visible light (λ ≥ 420 nm) irradiations. In comparison to Degussa P25, the new photoactive material with x = 0.5 demonstrated 3 times higher rate in removing aqueous RhB under visible light irradiation. A morphology, chemical composition and crystalline structure of BiO(ClxBr1 − x) were characterized using scanning electron microscopy and powder X-ray diffraction. The values of their unit cell parameters depend on Cl/Br ratio and they change according to the Vegard's law.

Graphical abstractA new family of visible light sensitive photocatalysts BiO(ClxBr1 − x) was prepared by the hydrothermal treatment under mild conditions. The photocatalytic activity of the BiOCl0.5Br0.5 was the highest among other family members in decomposition of RhB and AP under visible light irradiation and 3 times higher than that of Degussa P25 under UV-irradiation.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights►A new family of visible light sensitive BiO(ClxBr1 − x) photocatalysts. ►Three times higher photocatalytic activity compared to TiO2 (Degussa P25) ►Tetragonal structure and P4/nmm (129) space group for all family members. ►Linear dependence of lattice parameters from Cl/Br ratio.