Fe(III) modified BiOCl ultrathin nanosheet towards high-efficient visible-light photocatalyst

To pursue high photocatalytic activity in visible-light region, the Fe(III) modified BiOCl ultrathin nanosheet (Fe(III)@BOC NS) has been firstly synthesized via a facile solvothermal approach. The morphological and compositional characterizations reveal that the thickness of the as-prepared Fe(III)@BOC NS is less than 5 atomic layer with the exposure of active [001] facets. And the Fe(III) doping and surface grafting result in a 0.58 eV down-shift of the BiOCl conduction band minimum extending the light absorption from ultraviolet light to visible light region, as well as a promoted interfacial charge transfer upon visible light irradiation. Meanwhile, the Fe(III) modification introduces unique active sites on the surface of ultrathin nanosheet facilitating the surface reaction. Moreover, both of the appropriate self-induced electric field of [001] facets, and the shortened charge carrier diffusion length of ultrathin nanosheet enhance the separation and transfer efficiency of charge carriers. Therefore, by taking those advantages, we experimentally demonstrate that the Fe(III)@BOC NS is a high-efficiency visible-light photocatalyst for both of environment remediation and water splitting.