Rational design on 3D hierarchical bismuth oxyiodides via in situ self-template phase transformation and phase-junction construction for optimizing photocatalysis against diverse contaminants

Design of three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical architectures and nano-phase-junctions are of huge significance for semiconductor photocatalysis. Herein, we report the fabrication of a series of 3D hierarchical bismuth oxyiodides via in situ phase transformation and phase-junction construction utilizing BiOI microspheres as self-sacrificed template through a facile calcination strategy. The multiform bismuth oxyiodides obtained at different temperatures include hierarchical BiOI, Bi4O5I2, Bi4O5I2-Bi5O7I phase junction and Bi5O7I. These bismuth oxyiodides exhibit very distinct microstructure and band structure, and their photoabsorption was orderly tuned from 700 to 400 nm, rendering the adjustable oxidation and reduction ability of band energy levels. The photocatalytic activity of the bismuth oxyiodide series is systematically assessed by degradation of diverse antibiotic and contaminants, such as tetracycline hydrochloride, bisphenol A (BPA) and azo dye Rhodamine B (RhB). It disclosed that they present discrepant photocatalytic performance with activity order of Bi4O5I2-Bi5O7I>Bi4O5I2 > Bi5O7I > BiOI, which is closely associated with the charge separation efficiency, band structure and surface area. Additionally, the photocatalytic mechanism and degradation pathway are also surveyed. The study may furnish new insights into development of novel 3D hierarchical architectures and nano-phase-junctions for heterogeneous photocatalysis. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.