Combustion synthesis of Bi/BiOCl composites with enhanced electron–hole separation and excellent visible light photocatalytic properties

•Bi/BiOCl photocatalysts were synthesized by a simple combustion method.•The presence of Bi leads to decreased Eg and improved absorption in UV–vis region.•Bi/BiOCl photocatalysts exhibit improved photodegradation performances by 17-fold.•Main reactive oxygen species and photocatalytic mechanism were discussed.

Bi/BiOCl composite photocatalysts were synthesized by a simple combustion method. The structures, morphologies, optical, and visible-light photocatalytic properties of as-prepared Bi/BiOCl were characterized. Bi doping leads to red-shift in the absorption band and increased visible light absorption. The photocatalytic reaction tests in the degradation of the dyes of RhB showed that the loaded Bi nanoparticles could bring about a big increase in the photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation. The main reactive oxygen species and photocatalytic mechanism of Bi/BiOCl under visible light irradiation were discussed in detail.

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