Synthesis of Bi5O7I Nanoplates by PVP-Assisted Hydrothermal Method and Their Photocatalytic Activities

Bi5O7I nanoplates as visible-light-driven photocatalyst have been synthesized by PVP assisted hydrothermal method. The effect of weight content of PVP adding on phase, morphology, and photocatalytic activities of products has been studied. The products have been characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). In this research, the products have been specified as pure phase of orthorhombic Bi5O7I structure. The size of Bi5O7I plates has been controlled by the weight content of PVP adding. Photocatalytic activities of the samples have been investigated through photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation. The Bi5O7I nanoplates synthesized in the solution containing 0.50 g PVP show the highest photocatalytic activity for degradation of MB under visible light. A mechanism for photodegradation of MB by Bi5O7I is explained according to experimental results.