Design, preparation, and photocatalytic performance of MoSe2 quantum dots modified BiOCl composite photocatalysts

Abstract

BiOCl-based heterojunctions with effective charge separation/transportation are highly desired for photocatalytic degradation of pollutants. Fantastic 0D/2D heterojunctions between MoSe2 Quantum dots (QDs) and BiOCl (MoSe2 QDs/BiOCl) were synthesized via liquid phase exfoliation and hydrothermal method. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and transmission electron microscopy confirm the excellent crystallinity and the superior surface morphology of the combination of the two materials. The UV–Vis Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy shows that MoSe2 QDs/BiOCl exhibits enhanced light absorption. Furthermore, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and photoluminescence measurements suggest that the MoSe2 QDs/BiOCl heterojunction promotes charge separation and transport of photogenerated carriers. As results, the optimized MoSe2 QDs/BiOCl with 0.5 wt% of MoSe2 QDs significantly enhances the degradation rate of Rhodamine B to 3.59 times (2.76 × 10−3 min−1) that of pristine BiOCl (7.66 × 10−4 min−1). Free radical capture experiments indicate that ·O2− plays an overwhelming role in the Rhodamine B degradation, compared to h+ or ·OH. Our experiments provide some new ideas for improving the photocatalytic degradation performance of BiOCl.