Simultaneously generating Bi quantum dot and oxygen vacancy on Bi2MoO6 nanosheets for boosting photocatalytic selective alcohol oxidation

Constructing visible-light-driven photocatalysts with outstanding performances for selective alcohol oxidation has become a research frontier in the field of heterogeneous photocatalysis. Herein, simultaneously generating Bi quantum dot and oxygen vacancy on Bi2MoO6 nanosheets, facilely achieved through a hydrothermal combining post-reduction route, has been developed to catalyze selective alcohol oxidation in D.I·H2O medium via visible-light-driven heterogeneous photocatalysis, actually presenting the remarkably boosted photoactivity and excellent reusability. Experimental results reveal that the remarkably boosted photoactivity can be intrinsically credited to the synergetic effect of oxygen vacancy and Bi quantum dot, strikingly leading to the narrowed band gap, the improved visible-light absorbance as well as the escalated photocharge separation capability. Impressively, its excellent reusability can be mainly correlated with Bi quantum dot strongly interacting with robust Bi2MoO6 nanosheet that not only inhibits the structural collapse of Bi2MoO6 nanosheet but also the leaching of Bi quantum dot, demonstrating its promising potential in future sustainable organic synthesis.