Synthesis of a marigold-like BiOCl nanocomposite with enhanced photocatalytic activity

Abstract

The marigold like Bismuthoxychloride/polystyrene (BiOCl/PS) nanocomposite was successfully synthesized by a facile method. XRD results revealed that the prepared materials were crystalline in nature. Morphological study evidenced that the prepared BiOCl catalyst consist of flakes with a diameter of around 1-2 μm. The bandgap energy of BiOCl/PS nanocomposite was found to be 3.2 eV which is well supported to pure BiOCl. The photocatalytic degradation experiment was performed by degradation of methyene blue dye. The obtained results show that the degradation rate by flower like BiOCl/PS nanocomposite was 85% and for pure BiOCl was 25% respectively which confirms flower like BiOCl/PS nanocomposite is highly efficient photocatalyst.