Bismuth Oxyhalide-Based Materials (BiOX: X = Cl, Br, I) and Their Application in Photoelectrocatalytic Degradation of Organic Pollutants in Water: A Review

Abstract

An important target of photoelectrocatalysis (PEC) technology is the development of semiconductor-based photoelectrodes capable of absorbing solar energy (visible light) and promoting oxidation and reduction reactions. Bismuth oxyhalide-based materials BiOX (X = Cl, Br, and I) meet these requirements. Their crystalline structure, optical and electronic properties, and photocatalytic activity under visible light mean that these materials can be coupled to other semiconductors to develop novel heterostructures for photoelectrochemical degradation systems. This review provides a general overview of controlled BiOX powder synthesis methods, and discusses the optical and structural features of BiOX-based materials, focusing on heterojunction photoanodes. In addition, it summarizes the most recent applications in this field, particularly photoelectrochemical performance, experimental conditions and degradation efficiencies reported for some organic pollutants (e.g., pharmaceuticals, organic dyes, phenolic derivatives, etc.). Finally, as this review seeks to serve as a guide for the characteristics and various properties of these interesting semiconductors, it discusses future PEC-related challenges to explore.

Unveiling the origin of the efficient photocatalytic degradation of nitazoxanide over bismuth (oxy)iodide crystalline phases

“…7b), can potentially complete the charge balance. 46,47 Exploring the photoelectrochemical behavior of bismuth (oxy)iodides provides insights into the underlying mechanisms and photocatalytic processes. Fig.…”

Photoelectrochemical advanced oxidation processes for removal of azo dye from water: emerging aspects and oxidation products

“…Over the past years, a wide variety of TiO2-based materials have been investigated as it is the most stable, inexpensive, accessible, and effective material for dye oxidation (Karanasios et al;Of et al 2009;Ge et al 2016). The photoelectrocatalytic characteristics of other semiconductor materials, such as ZnO, SnO2, WO3, Fe2O3, CdS, and BiOX (X = Cl, Br, I), have also been inten-sively studied for creating dye removal technology using solar energy (visible light) (Zhang et al 2009;Peleyeju and Arotiba 2018;Orudzhev et al 2020;Ahmed et al 2020;Rajput et al 2021;Castillo-Cabrera et al 2022).…”

“…Synthetic dyes are characteristic of wastewater from their production and from technological processes of dyeing various materials, particularly in textile industry, dry cleaning, etc. (Castillo-Cabrera et al 2022). The textile indus-try is the most water-intensive and consumes a large amount of water resources.…”

Constructing BiOBr1–xIx–y with Abundant Surface Br Vacancies for Excellent Visible-Light Photodegradation Capability of High-Concentration Refractory Contaminants

“…However, the photocatalytic efficiency over BiOBr is still unsatisfied, limited by its narrow visible-light absorption . For the purpose of improving its photocatalytic ability, numerous strategies have been adopted to modify the band structure and facilitate the separation of photogenerated carriers . The X m p ( m = 3, 4, and 5 for X = Cl, Br, and I, respectively) and O 2p orbitals mainly occupy the valence band maximum (VBM) of BiOX, while the Bi 6p orbitals dominate the conduction band minimum (CBM) .…”

“…14 For the purpose of improving its photocatalytic ability, numerous strategies have been adopted to modify the band structure and facilitate the separation of photogenerated carriers. 15 The X mp (m = 3, 4, and 5 for X = Cl, Br, and I, respectively band maximum (VBM) of BiOX, while the Bi 6p orbitals dominate the conduction band minimum (CBM). 16 Given this unique electronic structure, once the Bi, O, or X atom is removed, the vacancy, a point defect formed at its corresponding lattice position, will have a significant effect on the physicochemical properties.…”