Insights into the photocatalytic performance of Bi2O2CO3/BiVO4 heterostructures prepared by one-step hydrothermal method. Issue 20 (19th March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lopes, Osmando F.; Carvalho, Kele T. G.; Avansi, Waldir; Milori, Debora M. B.; Ribeiro, Caue
• Is Part Of: RSC advances. Volume 8:Issue 20(2018)
• Page Start: 10889
• Page End: 10897
• Publication Date: 2018-03-19
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c8ra00605a
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2069

Abstract

Abstract : A novel visible-driven heterojunction of Bi2 O2 CO3 /BiVO4 was prepared by an efficient hydrothermal self-sacrificial synthesis method based on the difference in solubility. Abstract : This paper describes the synthesis of Bi2 O2 CO3 /BiVO4 heterostructures through a one-step method based on the difference in solubility between two semiconductors that possess a metal in common. The as-synthesized Bi2 O2 CO3 /BiVO4 heterostructures were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Raman spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), N2 physisorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and time resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy (TRPL). The role of the heterojunction formed was evaluated by methylene blue (MB) dye and amiloride photodegradation. The formation of the heterostructure was observed indirectly by the great increase in the thermal stability of the Bi2 O2 CO3 phase when compared to its pure phase. The amount of heterojunctions formed between the Bi2 O2 CO3 and BiVO4 was tuned by vanadium precursor concentration. The proposed strategy was efficient for obtaining Bi2 O2 CO3 /BiVO4 heterostructures with enhanced photocatalytic performance when compared to their isolated phases, MB and amiloride photodegradation occurred mainly by the action of ˙OH radicals, i.e. by an indirect mechanism. Based on TRPL spectroscopy and VB-XPS results, an enhancement of photoactivity related to an increase in the spatial separation of photo-generated electron/hole pairs was observed due to the formation of a type-II heterostructure.