Synthesis of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Modified BiOCl Microspheres with Enhanced Visible-Light Response Photoactivity

A facile approach for the preparation of multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/BiOCl microspheres has been demonstrated by a ionic liquid assisted solvothermal method. The MWCNT/BiOCl heterostructures were fabricated by dispersing MWCNT onto the surface of BiOCl. The as-synthesized samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Xray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, photoluminescence, and the specific surface area. The MWCNT/BiOCl microspheres showed higher photocatalytic activity for the degradation of rhodamine B than pure BiOCl under visible-light irradiation. The optimal MWCNT content for the photocatalytic activity of the MWCNT/BiOCl microspheres was 0.1 wt%. The introduction of MWCNT facilitated the separation of electron-hole pairs, and thus led to the improvement of photocatalytic activity. A possible photocatalytic mechanism of MWCNT/BiOCl composites was also proposed.