SILAR BiOI-Sensitized TiO2Films for Visible-Light Photocatalytic Degradation of Rhodamine B and 4-Chlorophenol.
BiOI nanoplates were deposited upon a film of TiO2nanoparticles derived from a commercial source using a simple room temperature sequential ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electron microscopies have been used to confirm the crystal phase, chemical states of key elements and morphology of the BiOI nanoplate-TiO2composites. Using both valence band X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and UV/Vis diffuse reflectance measurements the band structure of the composites is determined to be that of a type II heterojunction. Through initial screening of the photocatalytic activity of the SILAR-modified films it was determined that five SILAR cycles are optimal in the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B. The visible-light sensitisation effect of BiOI was then proven by examination of the photocatalytic degradation of the colourless organic pollutant 4-chlorophenol, showing a large enhancement over an equivalent TiO2film.
School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Joseph Black Building, David Brewster Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FJ, UK.
Gylen
G
Odling
School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Joseph Black Building, David Brewster Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FJ, UK.
Neil
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9230-6124
N
Robertson
TiO2; heterojunctions; photocatalysis; photodegradation; water