In-Situ Construction of Bi2O3/Bi2SiO5 Heterojunction Photocatalyst On The Exfoliated Bentonite With Efficient Photocatalytic Performance

Abstract In this study, Bi2O3/Bi2SiO5 heterojunction were in-situ constructed on the exfoliated bentonite via a novel one-pot method. The crystal structure, morphology, and optical features for the as-synthesized Bi2O3/Bi2SiO5 heterojunctions were systematically characterized by a series of characterization methods. During the preparation process, the exfoliated bentonite acted as the Si source and framework for the in-situ formation of Bi2O3/Bi2SiO5 p-n heterogeneous junction on the bentonite interlayer. As a result, the Bi2O3/Bi2SiO5 photocatalyst exhibited a superior photocatalytic performance than that of bare α-Bi2O3 toward the decomposition of Rhodamine B (RhB) via the simulated solar light irradiation, which was due to the synergetic effects of large specific surface areas and p-n junction between Bi2SiO5 and Bi2O3. Moreover, a probable photocatalytic mechanism for the as-prepared photocatalysts was explored. This work provides a new insight into building the cost-efficient photocatalysts for the contaminant degradation and a latent photocatalytic application of bentonite.