Synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic activities of novel bentonite-supported BiOCl-ZnO heterojunction (BiOCl-ZnO-Bentonite) under UV light

Herein, we report the synthesis of a new composite catalyst immobilized on bentonite surface (BiOCl-ZnO-Bent). The samples were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, photoluminescence, and Diffuse Reflectance Spectra (UV-Vis DRS) analyses. BiOCl were observed as nanosheets, whereas ZnO particles were nearly spherical (SEM images). Bentonite clay was used to increase the surface area of the samples. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area of Bi/Zn/Bent (50%) catalyst was lower than that of the ZnO-Bent and BiOCl-Bent. The prepared photocatalyst decomposed 10 mg L-1 of 3-chlorophenol (3-CP) within 180 min under UV light. Bi/Zn/Bent (50%) catalyst showed the highest photocatalytic activity. A proposed degradation mechanism for Bi/Zn/Bent (50%) composite is also discussed.