S-Scheme In₂O₃ Nanoparticle/BiOBr Nanoplate Heterojunctions for Improved Photocatalytic Dye Degradation and Cr(VI) Reduction

Abstract

The In2O3 nanoparticles were homogeneously attached on the BiOBr nanoplate surface to obtain S-scheme In2O3/BiOBr heterojunction photocatalysts by a hydrothermal route. The purity, crystal structure, chemical state, morphology, light absorption property, and photogenerated charge behavior of composites were investigated by XRD, SEM, TEM, HRTEM, XPS, UV–vis DRS, PL, ESR, and electrochemical tests. The removal of dyes (acid orange 7 (AO7), acid orange 10 (AO10), and rhodamine B (RhB)) and Cr­(VI) was employed to evaluate the photocatalytic performance of In2O3/BiOBr composites irradiated by simulated sunlight. The results indicate that the photocatalytic performance of BiOBr can be remarkably promoted after the decoration of In2O3 nanoparticles, and the best photocatalytic activity was achieved over an 8% In2O3/BiOBr sample. The 8% In2O3/BiOBr sample also indicates outstanding synergistic photocatalytic performance for the removal of the heavy metal ion/dye mixture (AO7/Cr­(VI) and RhB/Cr­(VI)). It is found that the decoration of In2O3 nanoparticles can accelerate the transfer and separation of photoinduced electrons and holes in BiOBr nanoplates. The energy band structure, work function, and Fermi level of BiOBr and In2O3 were computed through the density functional theory calculation. Based on the above investigation, the photocatalytic mechanism of the S-scheme In2O3/BiOBr composite was discussed.

Non-noble-metal TiC-nanoparticle-promoted charge separation and photocatalytic degradation performance on Bi2O3 microrods: degradation pathway and mechanism investigation

“…The light absorption performance of a photocatalyst is considered to be a critical parameter that influences its catalytic activity. 50 In this study, the UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectra of pure Bi 2 O 3 , TiC and TiC/Bi 2 O 3 were measured and their first derivative spectra were also determined, as manifested in Fig. 6(a) and (b).…”

Cobalt oxide decked with inorganic-sulfur containing vanadium oxide for chromium(vi) reduction and UV-light-assisted methyl orange degradation

“…S5a and b, ESI †). 69 Under the optimized conditions, the catalyst was further tested by varying the Cr(VI) concentration. The study predicted that the catalyst was capable of reducing Cr(VI) with same competency up to 50 ppm.…”

Persulfate Activation of Photocatalysts Based on S-Scheme Bi3NbO7/BiOBr0.75I0.25 Nanosheet Heterojunctions for Degradation of Organic Pollutants

“…Therefore, the band gap position can be adjusted to form a solid solution (BiOCl x I 1– x , BiOBr x I 1– x , and BiOCl x Br 1– x ) to solve the problem between light absorption and redox potential. , At present, heterojunctions have been proven to be one of the most promising methods for the preparation of advanced photocatalysts. The heterojunctions can solve the problems of a high recombination rate of e – –h + and a narrow photoresponse range. − Sun et al prepared a BiOCl/Bi 3 NbO 7 heterojunction with high electron transport efficiency by in situ etching. Bai et al increased the oxygen activation ability of the molecules by forming BiOBr x I 1– x /BiOBr (solid solution and heterostructure).…”