Di-functional Cu2+-doped BiOCl photocatalyst for degradation of organic pollutant and inhibition of cyanobacterial growth

Photocatalytic oxidation of contaminants in water has recently gained extensive attentions. In this study, Cu2+-doped BiOCl microsphere photocatalysts were prepared using solvothermal method. The effects of Cu2+ doping ratio on the morphological structures and photoelectric and photocatalytic properties of BiOCl were studied in detail. Results showed that Cu2+ doping affected the particle size of BiOCl microspheres. The introduction of Cu2+ ions gradually increased the light absorption range and decreased the electron recombination rate of photocatalysts as shown by ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflection and photoluminescence spectra. The best doping ratio was 0.25 Cu2+-BiOCl, showing the highest photocatalytic activity for rhodamine B (14.25 time higher than BiOCl) and a good inhibition of algal growth. The main reactants in the photocatalytic system were·OH and h+ (electron holes). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations further demonstrated that the doping of Cu2+ ions made the photogenerated carriers in BiOCl easier to generate and ensured the charge was transferred more rapidly. In conclusion, a novel high-efficiency multifunctional photocatalyst is proposed for the efficient organic pollutants removal and algae growth inhibition from water.