Bi₂O₃/Carbon quantum dots heterostructured photocatalysts with enhanced photocatalytic activity

We reported a facile fabrication of Bi₂O₃/carbon quantum dots (CQDs) photocatalysts. All the synthesized samples were characterized and investigated. Firstly, irregular β-Bi₂O₃ nanosheets were obtained by a thermal treatment of Bi₂O₂CO₃ precursor at 350 °C for 3 h in air. Then, different contents of CQDs were incorporated onto the as-obtained β-Bi₂O₃ nanosheets in ethanol solution by vigorous stirring. The experimental results demonstrated that the visible light absorption of β-Bi₂O₃ photocatalyst is greatly enhanced with the incorporation of CQDs. Furthermore, the fabricated heterostructure photocatalysts exhibited an enhanced photocatalytic activity over the photodegradation of Rhodamine B under the irradiation of visible light, owing to the separation of the photoinduced electrons and holes.