Characterization and Visible Light‐Driven Photocatalytic Activity of BiVO₄/BiOCl/Bi₂S₃ Nanocomposites Prepared by Sonochemical Process

Abstract

Photodecomposition performance enhancement of BiVO 4 is carried out by combining it with compatible semiconductors, such as bismuth oxyhalides and sulfide‐based photocatalyst materials. In this article, the synthesis of BiVO 4 /BiOCl/Bi 2 S 3 is carried out by a one‐step sonochemical process at room temperature with various S:Bi mole ratios (1:9, 2:8, and 3:7). The crystallinity and morphological features of the synthesized powders display a BiVO 4 monoclinic phase accompanied by BiOCl tetragonal and Bi 2 S 3 orthorhombic phases. Field‐emission electron microscopy micrographs show an irregular shape with various particle sizes and layering with the characteristic shape of BiOCl. The optical bandgap of the composites has various values in the range of 1.3–3.3 eV. The best photocatalytic performance is observed for the 2–8 composite sample, which produced complete degradation of RhB, with k = 0.17 min −1 , after 20 min of visible light exposure.