Near-infrared-driven enhanced β-NaYF4:Yb3+, Tm3+@BiOCl heterostructured upconversion composites for efficient degradation of organic contaminants

Abstract

Constructing comprehensive performance-enhanced heterostructured composite using the synergistic effect of complementary advantages between heterogeneous materials has always been challenging. In this work, highly stable β-NaYF4:Yb3+, Tm3+@BiOCl (NYF@BiOCl) heterostructured upconversion composites were successfully prepared using a two-step hydrothermal method. Compared to NYF/BiOCl mechanical mixtures, NYF@BiOCl with intimate interface show a higher photocatalytic degradation rate of rhodamine B (RhB) aqueous solutions, achieving 99.9% in 18 min and 98% in 2 h under simulated sunlight and near-infrared (NIR) light, respectively. The construction of heterostructures has a broad-spectrum response, which improves the utilization of sunlight and achieves efficient photocatalytic degradation of organic contaminants. Upconversion luminescence mechanism, spectral overlap, and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) explain the high photocatalytic activity of NYF@BiOCl. Meanwhile, NYF@BiOCl exhibits good universality to efficiently degrade other organic contaminants (methyl orange (MO), methylene blue (MB), bisphenol A (BPA), p-chlorophenol (4-CP)). This study demonstrates the potential of synergistic effects between heterogeneous materials. It Enhanced the photocatalytic activity of the NYF@BiOCl heterostructured composites driven by NIR light, providing a new strategy for energy-efficient and degradation of hazardous organic contaminants to alleviate environmental pollution.