Chemical precipitation synthesis of Bi0.7Fe0.3OCl nanosheets via Fe (III)-doped BiOCl for highly visible light photocatalytic performance

It remains a challenge to improve the photocatalytic activity of bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl) under visible light irradiation. In this work, BiOCl was changed by doping iron ions with a simple chemical precipitation method. During fabrication, under acidic conditions (pH = 3), bismuth nitrate and ferric chloride were mixed together and then annealed at 400 degrees C, 450 degrees C, 500 degrees C and 550 degrees C, respectively. Finally, Bi0.7Fe0.3OCl with uniform doping of Fe (III) was obtained. The properties of Bi0.7Fe0.3OCl samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS, and UV-vis. Bi0.7Fe0.3OCl nanomaterials synthesized at different temperatures were compared for their photocatalytic performance through investigating the degradation of a dye (Rhodamine B) under visible light. The experimental results showed that doping with Fe (III) can improve the visible light catalytic efficiency of BiOCl. Bi0.7Fe0.3OCl-450 had the best RhB removal rate, reaching 74 % within 3 h, which was about 4.8 times higher than pure BiOCl. This work may provide a promising method for preparing metal-doped BiOCl materials with efficient photocatalytic performance by generating large quantities of electron-holes during the photoreaction process.

Automated summary

Improving the photocatalytic activity of bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl) under visible light irradiation remains a challenge. Doping iron ions into BiOCl can enhance its visible light catalytic efficiency, with Bi0.7Fe0.3OCl-450 showing the best performance in degrading Rhodamine B. This method may offer a promising approach for preparing metal-doped BiOCl materials with efficient photocatalytic performance.