Synthesis, characterization and photoreactivity of hierarchically N-doped (BiO)2CO3/Bi2S3 with highly exposed {001} facets

The purpose of this paper is to develop hierarchically N-doped (BiO)(2)CO3/Bi2S3 heterostructures with highly exposed {001} facets. L-cysteine was used as both the capping agent and soft template to assemble hierarchically (BiO)(2)CO3 architectures with highly exposed {001} facets through a facile hydrothermal process. Rose-like (BiO)(2)CO3 architectures could be easily obtained by tuning the L-cysteine concentration. Introducing L-cysteine can inhibit the growth in [001] orientation and subsequently cause the preferential growth in [110] or [110] orientation, which can significantly enhance the percentage of exposed {001} facets in (BiO)(2)CO3. Results showed that the introduction of L-cysteine successfully realizes N doping and construction of (BiO)(2)CO3/Bi2S3 heterostructures, which narrows band gap, significantly enhances the optical absorption and reduces the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes. The as-obtained hierarchically N-doped (BiO)(2)CO3/Bi2S3 photocatalysts show superior photocatalytic activity and excellent stability for degradation of reactive brilliant blue (KN-R) under sunlight irradiation. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.