Synthesis and enhanced visible light photocatalytic CO2 reduction of BiPO4-BiOBrxI1-x p-n heterojunctions with adjustable energy band

A series of novel BiPO4-BiOBrxI1-x p-n heterojunctions were successfully prepared by a facile solvothermal method. The morphology, structure and optical properties of photocatalysts were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and ultraviolet visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The visible light photocatalytic activities of BiPO4-BiOBrxI1-x heterojunctions were investigated by photocatalytically reducing CO2. After 4 hours of irradiation, the 5% BiPO4-BiOBr0.75I0.25 heterojunction showed the highest photocatalytic activity with the yields of CO and CH4 up to 24.9 and 9.4 mol g(cat)(-1) respectively. The improved photocatalytic activity may be due to the formation of BiPO4-BiOBrxI1-x p-n heterojunctions which can effectively restrict the recombination rate of the photoexcited charge carriers. Moreover, the energy band structure of BiPO4-BiOBrxI1-x heterojunctions could be easily adjusted by changing the mole ratio of I and Br. The possible mechanism of the enhancement of the photocatalytic performance was also proposed based on experimental and theoretical analysis. The present study may provide a rational strategy to design highly efficient heterojunctions with an adjustable energy band for environmental treatment and energy conversion.