Simple hydrolysis route to synthesize Bi2O2CO3 nanoplate from Bi nanopowder and its photocatalytic application

Abstract In this study Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 nanoplate was fabricated via hydrolyzing Bi nanopowder obtained from electrochemical method. The synthetic procedure is easy and environmentally friendly. The microstructure, morphology, and optical property of Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 nanoplate were characterized by XRD, XPS, SEM, HRTEM, and UV–vis DRS. A plausible reaction mechanism of obtained product was proposed. Moreover, the photocatalytic activities of Bi nanopowder and Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 nanoplate have been evaluated by NO removal, and the NO removal ratios of Bi nanopowder and Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 nanoplate reached 49% and 60% under simulated sunlight illumination, respectively. The higher efficiency of Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 nanoplate can be ascribed to its large surface area as assembled to microspheric structure.