A Newly Constructed Photoactive System, Fe(iii)-c/N-bi<sub>2< for Efficient Visible Light Photocatalysis

Abstract

In this study, two strategies are simultaneously applied for photocatalytic activity enhancement of Bi2O3. The first strategy is to increase the light absorption via simultaneous carbon and nitrogen doping. The second strategy is to increase the charge carrier separation via Fe grafting. Transmission electron microscopy observation reveals the presence of Fe nanoclusters resided on the Bi2O3 surface. Near edge Xray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) analysis confirms the valence state of the Fe species to be +3, and their coordination to be octahedral. The C K-edge and N K-edge NEXAFS spectra furthermore confirm the incorporation of C and N species in the Bi2O3 structure. This newly constructed photocatalyst, denoted as Fe(III)-C/N-Bi2O3, shows appreciably enhanced photocatalytic performance for the decomposition of 2,4-dichlorophenol under visible light as compared to bare Bi2O3. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.