Gold Nanoclusters Enhanced Photocatalytic Property of Bismuth Oxychloride

Abstract This paper have synthesized bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl) nanoplate (BNS) by hydrothermal method and fabricated BiOCl‐gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) heterostucture nanomaterials (BANC) through electrostatic interaction. X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterizations indicate Au NCs successfully modified on BNS. The small energy gap makes Au NCs suitable for absorbing sunlight, while staggered energy bands between Au NCs and BiOCl could effectively separate electrons and holes, resulting in enhanced photocatlytic performance. Actually, under simulated sunlight irradiation, BANC could completely degrade rhodamine B within 30 minutes. In addition to this, the photostability test showed that the structure of BNAC did not changed after irradiation.