Facile Hydrothermal-Ion-Exchange Synthesis and Enhanced Visible Light Photocatalytic Activity of Bi4Ti3O12/Bi2S3 Heterostructure

Abstract

Bi4Ti3O[Formula: see text]/Bi2S3 heterostructures with enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity are successfully synthesized via a two-step synthesis route based on a sol–gel hydrothermal method and a subsequent hydrothermal-ion exchange reaction technique. The structures, composition, morphologies and light absorption capability of Bi4Ti3O[Formula: see text]/Bi2S3 heterostructures are verified by XRD, XPS, SEM, TEM and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra, respectively. Results indicated that Bi2S3 nanorods are grown on the surface of the spherical structure assembled by criss-cross nanosheets of Bi4Ti3O[Formula: see text] after ion exchange reaction. The photocatalytic tests reveal that the Bi4Ti3O[Formula: see text]/Bi2S3 heterostructures showed much higher photocatalytic activity than pure Bi4Ti3O[Formula: see text] or Bi2S3. The tight interconnection between the two semiconductors will facilitate the photoinduced carriers’ separation. Owing to the easy preparation and excellent property, the obtained Bi4Ti3O[Formula: see text]/Bi2S3 heterostructures may be promising photocatalysts for practical application.