Bi-nanoparticle-decorated BiPO 4 nanorods with improved photocatalytic activity

Bi-nanoparticle-decorated BiPO4 (Bi/BiPO4) hybrid nanorods were successfully fabricated through a redox process using BiPO4 nanorods and N2H4·H2O as self-sacrificing template and reducing agent, respectively. It was revealed that the reduction extent of BiPO4 can be easily controlled via manipulating the N2H4·H2O concentration in the reaction solution. Loading Bi nanoparticles on BiPO4 nanorods can remarkably broaden the light absorption range and boost the photogenerated charge carrier separation. As a result, Bi/BiPO4 nanorods exhibited a superior photocatalytic activity for degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) molecules under simulated sunlight illumination, as compared with the bare BiPO4. The superior photocatalytic performance of Bi/BiPO4 should be mainly attributed to the synergistic effects, including the extended light response range and enhanced charge separation. The possible charge transfer pathway and photocatalytic mechanism of the Bi/BiPO4 nanorods were also discussed. The present work may provide a convenient strategy to improve the photocatalytic performance of BiPO4 catalysts for environmental purification.