One‐step hydrothermal route to synthesise BiIO 4 /Bi 2 O 2 (BO 2 OH) heterostructure with improved photocatalytic performance

BiIO 4 /Bi 2 O 2 (BO 2 OH) heterostructure is successfully synthesised by the method of one‐step hydrothermal treatment. Characterisation of BiIO 4 /Bi 2 O 2 (BO 2 OH) heterostructure is performed by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscopy and ultraviolet (UV)–visible diffuse reflectance. The photocatalytic activity is measured by the decomposition of rhodamine B under UV light irradiation. Compared with Bi 2 O 2 (BO 2 OH), BiIO 4 and P25, it is noted that 35 wt% BiIO 4 /Bi 2 O 2 (BO 2 OH) exhibits better performance on degradation. The type‐II band alignment of the heterostructure and the decreased recombination rate of electron–hole pairs contribute to this significant enhancement of decomposition of organic contaminations.