BiOI/Bi2MoO6 p-n Junction to Enhance Visible Light Photocatalytic Activity toward Environmental Remediation

An efficient BiOI/Bi2MoO6 p-n heterojunctionwas in situ fabricated through hydrothermal method which exhibiteda strongly enhanced visible light responsive absorption from 500 to700 nm owing to the narrow band gap of BiOI and a greatly effectiveseparation of photoexcited carriers because of the built-in electricfield on the interface between BiOI and Bi2MoO6. Photocatalytic degradation of organicpollutants via semiconductorswith high visible light response and effective carrier separationis an economical and green route to greatly achieve environmentalremediation. Herein, an efficient BiOI/Bi2MoO6 p-n heterojunction was in situ fabricated through hydrothermal methodby substituting Mo7O24 (6-) speciesfor I ions. The characteristic p-n heterojunction exhibited a stronglyenhanced visible light responsive absorption from 500 to 700 nm owingto the narrow band gap of BiOI and a greatly effective separationof photoexcited carriers because of the built-in electric field onthe interface between BiOI and Bi2MoO6. Moreover,the flower-like microstructure also promoted the adsorption of organicpollutants owing to the large surface area (about 10.36 m(2)/g), good for further photocatalytic degradation. As a result, BiOI/Bi2MoO6 p-n heterojunction showed an excellent photocatalyticactivity of RhB of almost 95% in a short time of 90 min under wavelengthlonger than 420 nm, 2.3 and 2.7 times higher compared with singleBiOI and Bi2MoO6, respectively. This work offersa promising approach to purify the environment through the utilizationof solar energy by constructing efficient p-n junction photocatalysts.

Automated summary

An efficient BiOI/Bi2MoO6 p-n heterojunction was in situ fabricated through hydrothermal method, exhibiting significantly enhanced visible light absorption from 500 to 700 nm due to the narrow band gap of BiOI and effective separation of photoexcited carriers. Photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants using semiconductors with high visible light response and effective carrier separation is an economical and green approach for environmental remediation.