Anion-exchange engineering of cookie-like Bi2S3/Bi2MoO6 heterostructure for enhanced photocatalytic activities and gas-sensing properties

Developing efficient visible-light-driven photocatalysts will advance alternative energy technologies, ultimately curbing the environmental pollution associated with fossil fuels. In this work, Bi2S3/Bi2MoO6 photocatalysts with a heterogeneous cookie-like structure were prepared for the first time by in-situ anion exchange at relatively low temperatures. The catalysts exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity, which we attributed to the photocurrent response, a diminished recombination rate of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, and the existence of a large heterojunction interface. These governing factors were discerned by photoelectrochemical measurements, calculated energy band positions and photoluminescence spectra. Bi2S3/Bi2MoO6 nanocomposites also exhibit better performance in response to gas than bare Bi2MoO6 according to gas sensing tests. Our work, in relaying a feasible method to synthesize Bi2S3/Bi2MoO6-based heterojunction superstructures, and documents a universal preparation method of synthetic heterogeneous complexes, and provides necessary groundwork for the development of next generation semiconductor photocatalytic technology and gas sensor.