Enhancing photocatalytic performance of BiOX for Bisphenol – A degradation

A heterojunctionBiOI0.5Br0.5 was prepared for enhancing the photocatalytic performance of BiOX (X= Br or I) by facile method at room temperature using Bismuth Nitrate Bi(NO3)3.5H2O as Bismuth source. All prepared materials were fully identified by the required characteristics. The effect of heterojunction as well as BiOBr and BiOI on the photocatalytic activities were studied through degradation of widely used endocrine disturbing compound, Bisphenol – A, in aqueous solution under commercial visible lamp. The percent removal of Bisphenol– A was 55%, 79% and 93% with BiOBr, BiOI and BiOI0.5Br0.5 respectively after 120 min irradiation time using 1.0 g/L dose of photocatalysts and pH10. Accordingly, heterostructure considered a promising method that can be used to enhance pure photocatalyst for degradation of organic pollutants in water. Copyright © 2018 VBRI Press.