Synthesis and enhanced photocatalytic performance of Ni2+-doped Bi4O7 nanorods with broad-spectrum photoresponse

To fully utilize the solar energy, developing a suitable photocatalyst with broad-spectrum photoresponse is crucial in the degradation of water contaminants. In this work, Ni2+-doped Bi4O7 nanorods are prepared through a facile hydrothermal procedure. Various characterization techniques are adopted to explore the structure-photocatalytic performance relationships of the obtained materials in degrading organic dye rhodamine B (RhB) and antibiotic ciprofloxacin (CIP). Compared with that of the pristine Bi4O7, the Ni2+-doping enlarges the spe-cific surface area, lowers the band gap energy and reduces the electrons-holes recombination, thus improving photocatalytic performance. Catalyzed by the optimal 4 % Ni/Bi4O7 (20.0 mg), the elimination efficiencies of RhB and CIP (10.0 mg/L, 50.0 mL) are 97 % and 96 % within 2 h irradiated by visible light, respectively, which are obviously higher than that of Bi4O7. Also, the doped semiconductor exhibits satisfactory cycling stability. In addition, the possible photocatalytic degradation procedures of the pollutants and the plausible photocatalytic mechanism of the resulting composites are proposed. The excellent photocatalytic performance, low cost and facile preparation strategy endow the as-prepared 4 % Ni/Bi4O7 with broad-spectrum photoresponse a promising potential in environmental remediation.

Automated summary

In this study, Ni2+-doped Bi4O7 nanorods were successfully prepared by a hydrothermal method, and it was found that doping could enhance the photocatalytic performance. By optimizing the doping ratio, the material exhibited significantly higher degradation efficiency for rhodamine B and ciprofloxacin under visible light irradiation compared to pure Bi4O7, and it also showed good cycling stability. The results indicate that this material with broad-spectrum photoresponse has great potential in environmental remediation.