Bi4O5I2-Bi5O7I/Ni foam constructed in-situ accelerating interfacial carrier transfer for efficient photocatalysis

Abstract BiOI powder was first supported on Ni foam to form BiOI/Ni foam. The Bi4O5I2-Bi5O7I/Ni foam was obtained by calcining the BiOI/Ni foam at 400 °C for 1 h with a ramp rate of 10 °C min−1, which demonstrated excellent photocatalytic performance in the removal of RhB from water. Approximately 99% of RhB was decomposed over Bi4O5I2-Bi5O7I/Ni foam under irradiation of a 500 W xenon lamp for 5 h, 41% higher than that over BiOI powder calcined under the same conditions. The removal rates of total organic carbon and total organic nitrogen were about 47% and 38%, respectively. Degradation rate of RhB only decreased by 2% after the Bi4O5I2-Bi5O7I/Ni foam was used for 5 rounds. Photo-induced electrons flowed from Bi4O5I2 to Bi5O7I, to Ni foam, while photo-generated holes migrated in the reverse direction. The rapid migration of photo-induced electrons and holes on the interface of Bi4O5I2-Bi5O7I/Ni foam oppositely enhanced its photocatalytic activity for better degradation of RhB.