Photoluminescence and photocatalytic properties of BiOCl and Bi{sub 24}O{sub 31}Cl{sub 10} nanostructures synthesized by electrolytic corrosion of metal Bi

Highlights: ► We report a facile method to synthesize bismuth oxychlorides. ► The BiOCl nanosheets have both ultraviolet-blue emission zone and visible emission zone. ► The Bi{sub 24}O{sub 31}Cl{sub 10} nanostructure is a direct electron transition semiconductor. ► The broad and intensive UV emission were observed in Bi{sub 24}O{sub 31}Cl{sub 10} nanostructure. - Abstract: Nanostructured BiOCl and Bi{sub 24}O{sub 31}Cl{sub 10} have been synthesized by electrolytic corrosion of metal Bi. The photocatalysis and photoluminescence (PL) properties of BiOCl and Bi{sub 24}O{sub 31}Cl{sub 10} nanostructures have been investigated. Nanosheets with a thickness of ∼10 nm and in-plane size of 30–60 nm were obtained in the as-synthesized BiOCl. The emission spectra excited at 360 nm consist of two broad emission bands: ultraviolet-blue and visible. The visible emission is responsible for the photocatalytic activity of BiOCl under visible light irradiation. The nanostructured Bi{sub 24}O{sub 31}Cl{sub 10}, self-assembled by uniform nanosheets with a thickness of 10–20 nm, exhibits a broad and strong blue shift UV emission at room temperature.