The Preparation Of BiOCl/Graphene Nanocomposite And Their Photocatalytic Properties

Photocatalytic technology of organic pollutants has attracted increasing attention inthe last few decades. Recently, Bismuth-based nanostructures are attracting more andmore interest as a cheap, environmental photocatalyst. Research shows that BiOCl is aphotocatalyst which may have a better performance than that of P25, but there are stillseveral problems to be improved. Particularly, the technology of composite materials arewell used to modify photocatalysts.After the successful solvothermal synthesis of graphene (GR) by ethanol and sodium,we obtained a chemically bonded BiOCl/graphene (BiOCl/GR) nanocompositephotocatalyst via a facile chemical-bath method. A significant enhancement wasobserved in the photodegradation of methylbenzene, which was largely ascribed to thechemical coupling effects between Bi and C as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed.Raman spectroscopy also indicated an increased size of sp2ring clusters and decreaseddisorder in graphitic structure, as substitutions of defects like vacancies as well asoxygencontaining carbonaceous groups with C-Bi attachment take place. The optimalprocess of producing BiOCl/GR was found by controlling the chemical-bath reactionconditions. The product synthesized under80℃and with a molar ratio of Bi:C=1:3possessed the best photocatalytic activity and was better than P25as well. The excellentperformance was mainly attributed to a befitting structure. The preparation of graphenewas also promoted by using a chemical oxidation-reduction method.Overall, our work might take us a step further in GR based hybrid materials,providing a very good reference to the fabrication of chemically bondedGR/semiconductor compounds and facilitating their applications in environmentalprotection, photo-electrochemical conversion and photocatalytic decomposition of water.