In situ assembly of BiOI@Bi12O17Cl2 p-n junction: charge induced unique front-lateral surfaces coupling heterostructure with high exposure of BiOI {001} active facets for robust and nonselective photocatalysis

Synthesis of reactive exposing facets and p-n junction are of great importance for semiconductor photo catalysis. Herein, we develop a p-n junction BiOI@Bi12O17Cl2 heterostructure via facilely in situ depositing BiOI nanosheets on the surface of Bi12O17Cl2 plates. Owing to the charge inducement, the BiOI nanosheets are all vertically assembled onto the Bi12O17Cl2 large plates to form a unique front-lateral surfaces coupling heterostructure, which enables high exposure of {001} reactive exposing facets of BiOI. The photocatalytic properties are systematically evaluated by degrading multiform industrial contaminants and antibiotic, like 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), rhodamine B (RhB), phenol, bisphenol A (BPA), and tetracycline hydrochloride. It reveals that the BiOI@Bi12O17Cl2 heterostructure not only shows dramatically strengthened photocatalytic activity, but also unfold powerful and nonselective photooxidation ability under visible-light illumination. The photoelectrochemical characterizations demonstrated that the drastically promoted separation and transfer of charge carriers that derived from the benefits of BiOI {001} active facets and BiOI@Bi12O17Cl2 p-n junction are in charge of the high photo-activity. Detailed radicals detection and quantification experiments further corroborate our conclusions. The study may give us some new hints on designing novel heterostructured photoelectronic materials with integrating p-n junction and active exposing facets. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.