Hydrothermal fabrication of N-doped (BiO)₂CO₃: Structural and morphological influence on the visible light photocatalytic activity

Various 3D N-doped (BiO)₂CO₃ (N-BOC) hierarchical superstructures self-assembled with 2D nanosheets were fabricated by one-step hydrothermal treatment of bismuth citrate and urea. The as-obtained samples were characterized by XRD, XPS, FT-IR, SEM, N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms and UV–vis DRS. The hydrothermal temperature plays a crucial role in tuning the crystal and morphological structure of the samples. Adjusting the reaction temperature to 150, 180 and 210 °C, we obtained N-doped (BiO)₂CO₃samples with corresponding attractive persimmon-like, flower-like and nanoflakes nano/microstructures. The photocatalytic activities of the samples were evaluated by removal of NO under visible and solar light irradiation. The results revealed that the N-doped (BiO)₂CO₃ hierarchical superstructures showed enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity compared to pure (BiO)₂CO₃ and TiO₂-based visible light photocatalysts. The outstanding photocatalytic performance of N-BOC samples can be ascribed to the doped nitrogen and the special hierarchical structure. The present work could provide new perspectives in controlling the morphological structure and photocatalytic activity of photocatalyst for better environmental pollution control. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V.