BiOCl/α-Fe2O3 composite for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of gaseous styrene

BiOCl/alpha-Fe2O3 nanomaterial composite photocatalyst was synthesized by hydrolysis method and it was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), UV-VIS reflection spectrometer (DRS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), N-2 adsorption-desorption measurement (BET), photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS). The effects of composite catalyst on styrene degradation under UV irradiation at 365 nm under different preparation conditions were discussed. The results showed that the composite catalyst had good catalytic performance for the degradation of gaseous styrene. When BiOCl/alpha-Fe2O3 mass ratio was 1:1, hydrolysis temperature was 50 degrees C, and solution pH was 1, the degradation rate of styrene with 150 mg/m(3) was 73.1% and mineralization rate reached 63.1% after irradiation with 365 nm UV light for 80 min. Photocatalytic degradation of styrene by composite catalysts was mainly caused by photoelectron-hole and oxygen-derived superoxide radical.

Automated summary

BiOCl/α-Fe2O3 nanomaterial composite photocatalyst was synthesized by hydrolysis method and showed good catalytic performance for the degradation of gaseous styrene. The degradation rate of styrene and mineralization rate were optimized when the mass ratio of BiOCl/α-Fe2O3 was 1:1, hydrolysis temperature was 50°C, and solution pH was 1 under UV irradiation at 365 nm.