Preparation of a Bi12O15Cl6@W18O49@g-C3N4/PDI heterojunction with dual charge transfer paths and its photocatalytic performance for phenolic pollutants

• A novel Z-type heterojunction Bi 12 O 15 Cl 6 @W 18 O 49 @g-C 3 N 4 /PDI with a dual-channel charge transport pathway was constructed. • Full spectrum of light source could be utilized for photocatalytic removal of phenols by Bi 12 O 15 Cl 6 @W 18 O 49 @g-C 3 N 4 /PDI. • A localized surface plasmon resonance effect in photocatalysis was observed. A novel plasmonic Bi 12 O 15 Cl 6 @W 18 O 49 @g-C 3 N 4 /PDI photocatalyst with dual charge transfer paths was prepared via a solvothermal method using W 18 O 49 nanowires grown on Bi 12 O 15 Cl 6 nanosheets, followed by loading graphitic carbon nitride/ pyromellitic acid dianhydride (g-C 3 N 4 /PDI) onto the resulting Bi 12 O 15 Cl 6 @W 18 O 49 via simple calcination. The heterojunction displayed outstanding photocatalytic performance in the degradation of bisphenol A (BPA) under simulated sunlight illumination, achieving an efficiency of 100% with respect to the removal of BPA (10 ppm) within 30 min. The results of five recycling experiments and an X-ray diffraction analysis before and after degradation showed that the photocatalyst had a relatively stable structure and properties. The investigation of the mechanism regarding the enhanced activity of the plasmonic photocatalyst revealed that dual charge transfer paths and the localized surface plasma resonance effect significantly improved the photogenerated electron transport efficiency and light absorption capacity of the Bi 12 O 15 Cl 6 @W 18 O 49 @g-C 3 N 4 /PDI composite, which can effectively activate molecular oxygen, producing superoxide radicals and hydroxyl radicals. This study provides a novel platform for the application of the localized surface plasmon resonance effect in photocatalysis via the development of a photocatalyst with dual charge transfer paths.