Hollow porous BiOCl microspheres assembled with single layer of nanocrystals: spray solution combustion synthesis and the enhanced photocatalytic properties

The hollow porous microspheres assembled with BiOCl nanocrystals were successfully synthesized via a facile spray solution combustion synthesis method. The microstructure, morphology, absorbance, optical properties of the samples were investigated in detail. The results show that hollow porous BiOCl microspheres have narrow band gaps (2.66–2.71 eV), and the degradation rate of rhodamine B (RhB) can reach 98% under visible light irradiation for 60 min. Furthermore, the mechanism of the photocatalytic degradation of RhB was proposed through the experiment of trapping active species. This excellent photocatalytic property can be ascribed to the larger specific surface area and the special microstructure.