Highly Efficient Photocatalysts Based on Lamellar-Shaped Bi2S3 Grown on TiO2 Monolith

Here, the lamellar-shaped Bi 2 S 3 grown on a porous TiO 2 monolith was obtained by a two-step method including a sol–gel route and hydrothermal treatment. The photocatalytic activity of the as-synthesized Bi 2 S 3 /TiO 2 composites was evaluated for photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) dye in aqueous solution under the visible-light irradiation. Based on our experimental results, 5% (molar ratio of Bi 2 S 3 to TiO 2 ) Bi 2 S 3 /TiO 2 photocatalysts exhibited a maximum photodegradation rate of MB up to 96.9% under visible-light irradiation for 120 min. Our findings indicated that the lamellar-shaped Bi 2 S 3 can extend the light absorption up to visible areas, and porous TiO 2 can provide enhanced specific surface area and more mass transfer pathway to enhance the photodegradation efficiency. Furthermore, porous TiO 2 can accept the electrons from the Bi 2 S 3 conduction band due to the relatively positive electrode potential to impede the photoproduced electron and hole combination to result in advanced photocatalytic performance.