Surface Acidification of BiOI/TiO2 Composite Enhanced Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Benzene

A novel BiOI/TiO2 nano-heterojunction was prepared using hydrothermal and sol-gel methods. The composite material characterized by X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflection spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission microscopy. crystallinity response to light of were controlled preparation conditions such as the optimal solvent condition heat treatment temperature. photocatalytic activity catalyst examined benzene a test molecule. degradation rate under visible enhanced compared pure TiO2, thus reaching 40% original concentration, which increased further >60% after surface acidification. fluorescence spectra, current, paramagnetic resonance confirmed that attributed carrier separation heterojunction. acid sites active chlorine hydrochloric acidification offer mechanism for reactions.