Synthesis of a Carbon-Loaded Bi2O2CO3/TiO2 Photocatalyst with Improved Photocatalytic Degradation of Methyl Orange Dye

A microflower-like C/Bi2O2CO3/TiO2 nanocomposite was prepared via a two-step method. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed the sample to have a layered petal-like microstructure consisting of many nanosheets with an average diameter of 2-5 mu m, along with activated carbon (AC) or carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and TiO2 nanoparticles deposited on the surface. Compared with pure Bi2O2CO3, Bi2O2CO3/TiO2 photocatalyst loaded with microflower-like carbon has a good degradation rate of methyl orange (MO) under visible light (0.019 min(-1)). The highest photodegradation efficiency of MO by AC or CNT-loaded Bi2O2CO3/TiO2 microflowers reached a maximum of 95% degradation after 180 minutes of reaction. The results show that the photocatalytic reaction of the hole and the hydroxyl free radical groups were important for the process of the photocatalytic degradation, and the effect of the hole was slightly greater than that of the hydroxyl free radical. After comparing the different photocatalysts, it showed that C and TiO2 could improve the photocatalytic activity of Bi2O2CO3-based photocatalysts.