Synthesis,properties and mechanism of photodegradation of core–shell structured upconversion luminescent NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+@BiOCl |
| |
| Authors: | Shiyu Zhou Qiyan Zhang Deqiang Zhao Wenjuan Zong Zihong Fan Yaofang Sun Xuan Xu |
| |
| Affiliation: | 1. Key Laboratory of Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco‐Environment, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China;2. National Centre for International Research of Low‐Carbon and Green Buildings, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China;3. School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Chongqing Technology and Business University, Chongqing, China |
| |
| Abstract: | Microspherical bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl) can only utilize ultraviolet (UV) light to promote photocatalytic reactions. To overcome this limitation, a uniform and thin BiOCl nanosheet was synthesized with a particle size of about 200 nm. As results of UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy showed, the band gap of this nanostructure was reduced to 2.78 eV, indicating that the BiOCl nanosheet could absorb and utilize visible light. Furthermore, the upconversion material NaYF4 doped with rare earth ions Yb3+ and Er3+ emitted visible light at 410 nm following excitation with near‐infrared (NIR) light (980 nm), which could be utilized by BiOCl to produce a photocatalytic reaction. To produce a high‐efficiency photocatalyst (NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+@BiOCl), BiOCl‐loaded NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+ was successfully synthesized via a simple two‐step hydrothermal method. The as‐synthesized material was confirmed using X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy as well as other characterizations. The removal ratio of methylene blue by NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+@BiOCl was much higher than that of BiOCl alone. Recycling experiments verified the stability of NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+@BiOCl, which demonstrated excellent adsorption, strong visible‐light absorption and high electron–hole separation efficiency. Such properties are expected to be useful in practical applications, and a further understanding of the NIR‐light‐responsive photocatalytic mechanism of this new catalytic material would be conducive to improving its structural design and function. |
| |
| Keywords: | BiOCl nanostructure NIR light upconversion luminescent materials visible light |
|
|
