Synthesis of one-dimensional Bi2O3-Bi5O7I heterojunctions with high interface quality

One-dimensional Bi2O3-Bi5O7I heterostructures with enhanced visible light photocatalytic performance were synthesized by high temperature calcination of BiOI-Bi(OHC2O4)center dot 2H(2)O precursors. The Bi5O7I nanosheets uniformly grew on the Bi2O3 porous rods. The photocatalytic performance of the obtained products was evaluated by degradation of methyl orange (MO) and phenol under visible light irradiation. The results show that the Bi2O3-Bi5O7I heterostructure displays higher photocatalytic activity than pure phase Bi2O3 and Bi5O7I, and MO and phenol with high concentration can be completely degraded in 60 min under visible light irradiation using the Bi2O3-Bi5O7I (DS-2) heterostructure as a photocatalyst. This enhanced photocatalytic performance is ascribed to the synergistic effect of the suitable band alignment of Bi2O3 and Bi5O7I, high interface quality and one-dimensionally ordered nanostructure. Radical scavenger experiments indicate that holes (h(+)) and superoxide radicals ('O-2(-)) were the main active species for MO and phenol degradation during the photocatalytic process. This work will offer a simple route to design and synthesize junction structures with high interface quality for photocatalytic applications.