Controllable synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic performance of four kinds of bismuth-based materials

Bismuth-based semiconductors have shown enormous potential for photocatalysis, and some of them have similarities in preparation, structure and properties. Therefore, developing efficient bismuth-based photocatalysts with controllable preparation routes has attracting researchers in this field. Herein, a series of bismuth-based photocatalysts including BiOI, Bi4O5I2, Bi2O2CO3 and metallic Bi were successfully synthesized by a one-pot hydrothermal method using the same raw materials at the same temperature with the control of pH value. The crystalline phase, morphology, microstructures, photoabsorption and band structure of the four bismuth-based photocatalysts were investigated. The photocatalytic activity was surveyed by degrading methyl orange ( MO) and phenol with simulated solar light irradiation. The photodegradation results demonstrated that Bi4O5I2 displays the best photocatalytic activity, followed by BiOI, which is closely related to the intense photoabsorption, high charge separation efficiency and large specific surface area. This work may provide a reference for controllable synthesis of bismuth-based photocatalytic materials for environmental mediation.