Preparation of sphere-like g-C3N4/BiOI photocatalysts via a reactable ionic liquid for visible-light-driven photocatalytic degradation of pollutants

Abstract

Novel sphere-like g-C 3 N 4 /BiOI composite photocatalysts were prepared by a one-pot EG-assisted solvothermal process in the presence of reactable ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium iodine ([Bmim]I). The nanostructured heterojunction was formed with g-C 3 N 4 covering the surface of BiOI microspheres uniformly. Multiple techniques were applied to investigate the structure, morphology and photocatalytic properties of as-prepared samples. During the reactive process, the ionic liquid acted as solvent, reactant, template and dispersing agent at the same time, leading to g-C 3 N 4 being uniformly dispersed on the sphere-like BiOI surface. Three different types of dyes rhodamine B (RhB), methylene blue (MB), methyl orange (MO) were chosen as model pollutants to evaluate the photocatalytic activity of g-C 3 N 4 /BiOI composite. The as-prepared g-C 3 N 4 /BiOI composite exhibited much higher photocatalytic activity than the pure BiOI. At the same time, colourless endocrine disrupting chemical bisphenol A (BPA) and phenols 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) were chosen to further evaluate the photocatalytic activity of g-C 3 N 4 /BiOI composite. The g-C 3 N 4 /BiOI composite also exhibited much higher photocatalytic activity than the pure BiOI, which showed a broad spectrum of photocatalytic degradation activities. The results indicated that the formed heterojunction of g-C 3 N 4 covers the BiOI microspheres contributed to improved electron-hole separation and enhancement in photocatalytic activity. A photocatalytic mechanism of g-C 3 N 4 /BiOI composites is also proposed.

Surface decoration of BiPO4 with BiOBr nanoflakes to build heterostructure photocatalysts with enhanced photocatalytic activity

“…M a n u s c r i p t [33]. Therefore, to examine the role of these active species in the photodegradation of MB mediated by the BiOBr/BiPO 4 composites, quenching studies were performed by using tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) and EDTA-2Na scavengers as effective scavengers for ·OH and holes, respectively [30,34].…”

An ion-exchange strategy for I-doped BiOCOOH nanoplates with enhanced visible light photocatalytic NOx removal

“…Thus the new peaks of 161.1 and 166.8 eV can be ascribed to the formation of I-Bi-O bond. Figure 4b shows I3d spectra with two peaks at 618.3 and 631.2 eV, attributed to the presence of I − [23][24][25]. The binding energy has witnessed a positive chemical shift with the increasing of I − ions contents.…”

Facile Preparation of AgI/Bi2MoO6 Heterostructured Photocatalysts with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity

“…The strategy facilitates the separation of photogenerated electrons and holes through charge transfer between the semiconductors. [4,5] In recent years, some new heterostructured photocatalysts with high visible-light response have been designed and developed, for example, Bi-based, [6][7][8][9] Ag-based, [10][11][12] and g-C 3 N 4 -based [13][14][15] composite catalysts have attracted great attention. Bi 2 MoO 6 (BMO) is an Aurivilliusphase perovskite oxide that consists of [Bi 2 O 2 ] 2+ layers interleaved by double slabs of MoO 4 2-.…”