Co-precipitation synthesis and photocatalytic properties of BiOCl microflowers

The BiOCl microflowers were successfully prepared by co-precipitation method. The crystal structure and morphology of BiOCl microflowers were studied by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Various techniques were also used to characterize the BiOCl microflowers, including diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–vis DRS), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and transient photocurrent response. The photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) on BiOCl microflowers was also carried out. Under visible light irradiation, the photocatalytic experiment given the optimal variables, which is BiOCl microflowers should be added 0.05 g, and the concentration of RhB solution was 10 mg/L. under optimal condition, photocatalytic performance of BiOCl microflowers is better than TiO2. The photocatalytic performance under pH = 1.1 is superior to that of pH = 14 and pH = 7, we can also find that BiOCl micronflowers have excellent photocatalytic stability.