Bismuth Oxychloride Nanosheets Research Articles

An in vitro study on the cytotoxicity of bismuth oxychloride nanosheets in human HaCaT keratinocytes

As an emerging nanomaterial, bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl) has attracted explosive interests in diverse areas. However, how it interfaces with biological systems, particularly its interaction with human cells and the resulting effects are completely unknown. In this paper, the cytotoxicity of BiOCl nanosheets (NSs) was investigated toward a human skin derived cell line (HaCaT). It was found that BiOCl-NSs had no cytotoxicity at low concentrations (<0.5 µg/mL), whereas higher concentrations (5–100 µg/mL) of BiOCl-NSs could trigger toxic effects on HaCaT cells, with changes in cell morphology and impairment of intracellular structures (mitochondria and cytoskeleton). BiOCl-NSs also led to cell apoptosis and cells cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase. Flow cytometric data showed that BiOCl-NSs were effectively incorporated into HaCaT cells. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) images further revealed that BiOCl-NSs sequestered in the lysosomes, mitochondria, nuclei, and vesicles. Results of DCFH-DA assay and nutritional antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) experiments suggested that an oxidative stress mechanism was involved in the cytotoxic effects of BiOCl-NSs. Taken together, this work represents the first study on the behavior of BiOCl-NSs on human cells, and constitutes the first and essential step for the risk assessment of BiOCl nanomaterials.

Squared-like BiOCl nanosheets synthesized by ethylene glycol-assisted solvothermal method and their photocatalytic performance

Bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl) with morphology of squared-like nanosheet is synthesized by solvothermal method using ethylene glycol aqueous reaction solution. The product is characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) diffuse reflection spectroscopy, respectively. The layered structure, the hydrogen bonding between hydroxyl groups and their selective adsorption cause the formation of the squared-like nanosheets. The photocatalytic degradation activity of the as-prepared BiOCl is tested by the degradation of methyl orange under UV light irradiation. Repeating the degradation process four times under the same condition, the results show that the squared-like BiOCl nanosheets present high photocatalytic activity and stability.

BiOCl nanosheets immobilized on electrospun polyacrylonitrile nanofibers with high photocatalytic activity and reusable property

One-dimensional BiOCl/PAN composite nanofibers which are composed of bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl) nanosheets on electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers were fabricated by combining electrospinning technique and solvothermal method. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, UV–vis diffuse reflectance, Fourier transform infrared spectrum, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric and differential thermal analysis, were used to characterize the as-fabricated BiOCl/PAN composite nanofibers. The results revealed that BiOCl nanosheets were successfully immobilized on electrospun PAN nanofibers. The contents of the BiOCl nanosheets were controlled by adjusting the precursor concentrations for the fabrication of BiOCl/PAN composite nanofibers during the solvothermal synthesis processes. It was found that some interactions might exist between BiOCl and PAN molecules of BiOCl/PAN composite nanofibers. The obtained BiOCl/PAN composite nanofibers exhibited high photocatalytic activity for degradation of rhodamine B under ultraviolet light irradiation. The trapping experiments confirmed that the main active species for photocatalysis was hydroxyl radicals, which was produced by both the oxidative pathway and reductive pathway. Notably, the BiOCl/PAN composite nanofibers photocatalysts not only had good reusable property because of their one-dimensional structure and flexibility but also retained high photocatalytic stabilities after several cycles due to the interaction between BiOCl and PAN molecules.