Fabrication of Novel p-BiOI/n-ZnTiO3 Heterojunction for Degradation of Rhodamine 6G under Visible Light Irradiation

Abstract

With the purpose of efficient electron hole separation and enhancement of photocatalytic performance in the visible region, we have fabricated a novel p-BiOI/n-ZnTiO3 heterojunction by a precipitation deposition method and studied its activity toward dye degradation. The physicochemical characteristics of the fabricated BiOI/ZnTiO3 heterojunctions were surveyed by powder X-ray diffraction pattern (PXRD), BET surface area, diffuse reflectance UV-vis (DRUV-vis), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL spectra), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and photoelectrochemical measurement The photosensitization effect of BiOI enhanced the spectral response of ZnTiO3 from UV to visible region, making all the BiOI/ZnTiO3. heterojunctions active under visible light The PEC measurement confirmed the p-type character of BiOI and n-type character of ZnTiO3. The optimal amount of BiOI in BiOI/ZnTiO3 heterojunctions was found to be 50% which degraded 82% of 50 ppm Rh 6G under visible light irradiation. The degradation rate of 50% BiOI/ZnTiO3 heterojunction was found to be higher than that of bare BiOI and ZnTiO3, respectively. The photosensitization effect of BiOI and the formed heterojunction between p-type BiOI and n-type ZnTiO3 contribute to improved electron hole separation and enhancement in photocatalytic activity.