Design, preparation, and photocatalytic performance of MoSe2 quantum dots modified BiOCl composite photocatalysts

BiOCl-based heterojunctions with effective charge separation/transportation are highly desired for photocatalytic degradation of pollutants. Fantastic 0D/2D heterojunctions between MoSe2 Quantum dots (QDs) and BiOCl (MoSe2 QDs/BiOCl) were synthesized via liquid phase exfoliation and hydrothermal method. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and transmission electron microscopy confirm the excellent crystallinity and the superior surface morphology of the combination of the two materials. The UV-Vis Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy shows that MoSe2 QDs/BiOCl exhibits enhanced light absorption. Furthermore, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and photoluminescence measurements suggest that the MoSe2 QDs/BiOCl heterojunction promotes charge separation and transport of photogenerated carriers. As results, the optimized MoSe2 QDs/BiOCl with 0.5 wt% of MoSe2 QDs significantly enhances the degradation rate of Rhodamine B to 3.59 times (2.76 x 10-3 min-1) that of pristine BiOCl (7.66 x 10-4 min-1). Free radical capture experiments indicate that & sdot;O2- plays an overwhelming role in the Rhodamine B degradation, compared to h+ or & sdot;OH. Our experiments provide some new ideas for improving the photocatalytic degradation performance of BiOCl.