Well-crystallized square-like bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl) nanoplates were successfully synthesized by a facile and environmentally friendly hydrothermal process in mannitol solution. The product was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), Raman spectroscopy, UV-vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy (DRS) and nitrogen adsorption. It was found that mannitol played a key role in the formation of square-like BiOCl nanoplates and the possible growth mechanism was also discussed. The photocatalytic activity of prepared BiOCl nanoplates was determined by the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation. The square-like BiOCl nanoplates exhibited excellent visible-light-driven photocatalytic efficiency, which was much higher than that of commercial BiOCl and TiO 2 (anatase). The remarkable visible-light photocatalytic activity was mainly attributed to the synergistic effect of the layered structure and the strong adsorption of RhB dye upon the BiOCl nanoplates, which might allow more efficient transport of the injected electrons. A possible dye-sensitized photocatalytic degradation process (photosensitization pathway) was proposed.

A novel class of one-dimensional (1D) plasmonic Ag@Cu2O core-shell heteronanowires have been synthesized at room temperature for photocatalysis application. The morphology, size, crystal structure and composition of the products were investigated by XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS, and UV-vis instruments. It was found the reaction time and the amount of Ag nanowires play crucial roles in the formation of well-defined 1D Ag@Gu(2)O core-shell heteronanowires. The resultant 1D Ag@Cu2O NWs exhibit much higher photocatalytic activity toward degradation of organic contaminants than Ag@Cu2O core-shell nanopartides or pure Cu2O nanospheres under solar light irradiation. The drastic enhancement in photocatalytic activity could be attributed to the surface plasmon resonance and the electron sink effect of the Ag NW cores, and the unique 1D core-shell nanostructure.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract