Pt/Bi24O31Cl10 composite nanosheets with significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation

Abstract Efficient composite semiconductor photocatalysts are highly desirable for the visible-light-driven degradation of organic pollutants. In this study, Bi 24 O 31 Cl 10 photocatalyst was prepared via a hydrothermal method and modified with Pt nanoparticles (NPs) through a facile deposition procedure. The composite photocatalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electronic microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV-vis diffusion reflectance spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, and electron spin resonance. The 1.0 wt% Pt/Bi 24 O 31 Cl 10 photocatalyst showed the highest activity for the degradation of methyl orange under visible light (source: 300 W Xe lamp coupled with a UV-cutoff filter), and the photocatalytic degradation efficiency improved about 2.2 times compared to that of pure Bi 24 O 31 Cl 10 . The composite photocatalyst could maintain most of its activity after four runs of the photocatalytic experimental cycle. This study could provide a novel insight for the modification of other desirable semiconductor materials to achieve high photocatalytic activities.