Facile synthesis of light harvesting semiconductor bismuth oxychloride nano photo-catalysts for efficient removal of hazardous organic pollutants

PLoS One. 2017 Feb 28;12(2):e0172218. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0172218. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

In the present work, bismuth oxychloride nanoparticles-a light harvesting semiconductor photocatalyst-were synthesized by a facile hydrolysis route, with sodium bismuthate and hydroxylammonium chloride as the precursor materials. The as-synthesized semiconductor photocatalysts were characterized using X-ray diffraction analysis, Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Photoluminescence spectroscopy techniques. The crystal structure, morphology, composition, and optical properties of these facile synthesized bismuth oxychloride nanoparticles (BiOCl NPs) were compared to those of traditional bismuth oxychloride. In addition, the photocatalytic performance of facile-synthesized BiOCl NPs and traditional BiOCl, as applied to the removal of hazardous organic dyes under visible light illumination, is thoroughly investigated. Our results reveal that facile-synthesized BiOCl NPs display strong UV-Vis light adsorption, improved charge carrier mobility and an inhibited rate of charge carrier recombination, when compared to traditional BiOCl. These enhancements result in an improved photocatalytic degradation rate of hazardous organic dyes under UV-Vis irradiance. For instance, the facile-synthesized BiOCl NPs attained 100% degradation of methylene blue and methyl orange dyes in approximately 30 mins under UV-Vis irradiation, against 55% degradation for traditional BiOCl under similar experimental conditions.

MeSH terms

  • Azo Compounds / chemistry
  • Bismuth / chemistry*
  • Catalysis
  • Hydrolysis
  • Light
  • Methylene Blue / chemistry
  • Nanoparticles*
  • Organic Chemicals / chemistry*
  • Photochemistry
  • Photoelectron Spectroscopy
  • Semiconductors*
  • Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
  • Spectrum Analysis, Raman
  • Ultraviolet Rays
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / chemistry*
  • Water Pollution
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Azo Compounds
  • Organic Chemicals
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • bismuth oxychloride
  • methyl orange
  • Methylene Blue
  • Bismuth

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) through the Science & Technology Unit at Umm Al-Qura University for funding through Project No. 12-NANO2317-10 as part of the National Science, Technology and Innovation Plan. The support by King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals is also gratefully acknowledged. Otherwise, the funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The funding agencies supported in terms of financial support for equipment, chemicals, and salaries of Principal Investigator (ZSS) and Co-Investigators (SAA, MAA, EYD, MMK) and students.