Synthesis of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Modified BiOCl Microspheres with Enhanced Visible‐Light Response Photoactivity

Abstract

A facile approach for the preparation of multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/BiOCl microspheres has been demonstrated by a ionic liquid assisted solvothermal method. The MWCNT/BiOCl heterostructures were fabricated by dispersing MWCNT onto the surface of BiOCl. The as‐synthesized samples were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, UV‐vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, photoluminescence, and the specific surface area. The MWCNT/BiOCl microspheres showed higher photocatalytic activity for the degradation of rhodamine B than pure BiOCl under visible‐light irradiation. The optimal MWCNT content for the photocatalytic activity of the MWCNT/BiOCl microspheres was 0.1 wt%. The introduction of MWCNT facilitated the separation of electron–hole pairs, and thus led to the improvement of photocatalytic activity. A possible photocatalytic mechanism of MWCNT/BiOCl composites was also proposed.