MWCNTs/BiOCOOH composites with improved sunlight photocatalytic activity

MWCNTs/BiOCOOH composites comprised of BiOCOOH nanosheets and MWCNTs were prepared by a facile solvothermal method. Photocatalytic properties of all catalysts were assessed by degrading RhB and 4-CP under simulated sunlight irradiation. The MWCNTs/BiOCOOH composites were much more active than BiOCOOH, and a mechanical mixture of MWCNTs and BiOCOOH. Especially, the MWCNTs/ BiOCOOH composite with 3 wt% MWCNTs (3%M-B) presented the highest activity. The high photocatalytic activity was due to the effective electron-hole separation and improved visible-light harvesting. Trapping experiments revealed that the holes and superoxide radicals were the primary active species for the RhB degradation. Moreover, it also displayed good stability. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.