Microwave-assisted synthesis of flower-like BN/BiOCl composites for photocatalytic Cr(VI) reduction upon visible-light irradiation

Abstract Novel graphene-like boron nitride (g-BN)-doped bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl) materials were fabricated by a facile microwave-assisted method. Spectroscopic and photoelectrochemical analysis confirmed that g-BN-coupled BiOCl microspheres possess a crystalline lattice with a flower-like microsphere structure. They are characterized by a high chemical stability, improved visible-light absorption, and large specific surface area and give a high yield of photoexcited electron–hole pairs. g-BN/BiOCl composites were evaluated by Cr(VI) photoreduction upon visible-light irradiation. The resulting BN/BiOCl material with a small fraction of 1% g-BN exhibited more efficient visible-light photoactivity than any other of the synthesized composites. To understand the enhanced photocatalytic activity of BN/BiOCl photocatalysts, the effect of different photogenerated electron and hole scavengers on Cr(VI) photoreduction has been studied. The results show that the presence of g-BN plays a vital role in the enhanced transportation of photogenerated electrons from the surface of the BN/BiOCl composites to Cr(VI) via an interfacial charge transfer effect. Moreover, the influence of several parameters on the photocatalytic reaction has been investigated for optimization of the photocatalysis. Based on the above merits of the BN/BiOCl composites, a possible mechanism for their enhanced photocatalytic activity is proposed.