A Novel CdWO4/BiOCl p-n Heterojunction Nanocomposites with Excellent Photocatalytic Activity Under Simulated Solar Light

Constructing heterojunction is an effective way to enhance the catalytic activities of semiconductor photocatalyst owing to its special synergistic effect. In this study, a novel p-n heterostructured CdWO4/BiOCl nanocomposites were synthesized by a facile hydrothermal and subsequently chemistry bath method. The photocatalytic performance of CdWO4/BiOCl heterojunctions was investigated by degrading phenol and RhB under simulated solar light irradiation. Highly improved photocatalytic activities were achieved on all CdWO4/BiOCl heterojunctions compared with both pure CdWO(4 )and BiOCl. The CdWO4/BiOCl heterojunction with optimal mole ratio of 25% CdWO4 displayed the highest photoactivity with RhB and phenol being completely degraded in 15 min and 6 h, respectively. Mechanism analysis revealed that the interface of p-n heterojunction of CdWO4/BiOCl composites can produce spontaneously electric field which can effectively separate photogenerated electrons and holes. Moreover, the active species research demonstrated that holes and superoxide radicals proved to be the principal active species during the photocatalytic process. This work demonstrated that the CdWO4/BiOCl photocatalyst may be a promising material for purifying the organic contaminant in practical application.