Construction of a novel supramolecular self-assembly photocatalyst for full visible light spectrum photooxidation of phenol

The sluggish full visible light response of organic supramolecular catalysts is a challenge that greatly restricts their development in the photocatalytic field. Herein, we successfully fabricated a K, Cl-codoped Bi2WO6/perylene-diimide(PDI) catalyst with a novel, general, and facile ultrasound assisted water bath heating method. The UV adsorption onset of K, Cl-codoped Bi2WO6/PDI is redshifted from 750 to 760 nm compared with that of the heterojunction of Bi2WO6/PDI. Under visible light, the phenol is thoroughly mineralized into CO2 and H2O, and the phenol degradation rate was three times higher than that of pure Bi2WO6/PDI. The electrons transfer from PDI to K- and Cl-codoped Bi2WO6/PDI according to the charge density difference calculation. The built-in potential of K- and Cl-codoped Bi2WO6/PDI could increase from 2.09 to 5.54 eV. The excellent full visible light spectrum photooxidation of phenol is attributed to the suitably strong built-in potential at the heterojunction between PDI and K, Cl-codoped Bi2WO6.