Synthesis of flower-like Pd/BiOCl composites via reactable ionic liquid and their enhanced photocatalytic properties

Abstract

A series of Pd/BiOCl catalysts have been prepared via a facile ethylene glycol (EG)-assisted solvothermal process in the presence of reactable ionic liquid 1-hexadecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C16mim]Cl). The as prepared products were characterised by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transient photocurrent response analysis, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra and photoluminescence spectroscopy. During the reaction process, [C16mim]Cl acted not only as Cl source but also as solvent, template and dispersing agent for the fabrication of Pd/BiOCl flower-like microspheres structures. The existence of ionic liquid was beneficial to generate small scale and steady Pd nanoparticles. Moreover, the photocatalytic activities of the Pd/BiOCl composite samples were evaluated by the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B. The effects of structure and morphology made by the introduction of Pd have been studied. A possible mechanism of Pd on the enhancement of visible light performance was also proposed.