Preparation and Photocatalytic Performance of Bi5O7I/PANI Composites

Polyaniline (PANI) was prepared by chemical oxidative polymerization and Bi5O7I/PANI composites were prepared by the hydrothermal method. The prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The photocatalytic performance of Bi5O7I/PANI composites were evaluated by the degradation of RhB under the visible light irradiation. The experiment results showed that all the composites exhibited the higher degradation efficiency than Bi5O7I. When the loading of PANI was 5%(w/w), the catalytic efficiency was the best. The reaction rate constant was about 3.9 times higher than that of Bi5O7I within 60 min. The results of trapping experiments indicated that superoxide radical and holes are the main active species in the photodegradation process. The loading of PANI could expand the visible light range and enhance the light absorption. Moreover, the suitable energy structure could inhibit the recombination efficiency of photo-generated electron-hole.