Water-assisted synthesis of shape-specific BiOCl nanoflowers with enhanced adsorption and photosensitized degradation of rhodamine B

Semiconductor photocatalysis is a sustainable and advanced method for depollution and energy shortage, yet efficient photocatalysts have to be synthesized. For instance, BiOCl is a promising photocatalyst, but its efficiency is largely dependent on morphology. In particular, there is a need for simple synthesis procedures and easily controllable facet exposure. Here, nanosheet-assembled BiOCl nanoflowers with exposed {001} facets were prepared by a rapid, efficient, water-assisted synthesis. BiOCl nanoflowers exhibited 3.3 times better adsorption and 3.5 times superior photosensitized degradation of rhodamine B under visible light irradiation, compared with BiOCl nanosheets. These improvements are attributed to the higher exposition of the {001} facet and 3D hierarchical structure. This work offers new insights to better understand the photosensitized degradation and rational design of highly active photocatalysts.