Effect of different Bi/Ti molar ratios on visible-light photocatalytic activity of BiOI/TiO2 heterostructured nanofibers

In this study, bismuth oxyiodide/titanium dioxide (BiOI/TiO2) heterostructures with different molar ratios of Bi and Ti were synthesized by electrospinning and hydrothermal methods. The samples thus synthesized were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and ultraviolet visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The results confirmed the presence of the BiOI/TiO2 heterojunction with Bi/Ti molar ratios of 0.20-1 by electrospinning and hydrothermal methods. Photocatalytic activity was also evaluated by the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible-light irradiation. The 80% BiOI/TiO2 heterostructure exhibited the best photocatalytic activity for the degradation of MB under visible-light irradiation. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.