Combustion synthesis of Fe-doped BiOCl with high visible-light photocatalytic activities

Fe-doped BiOCl photocatalysts were synthesized by a simple combustion method. The as-synthesized catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Fe 3+ doping leads to red-shift in the absorption band and increased visible light absorption. The photocatalytic reaction tests in the degradation of the dyes of rhodamine showed that the doping of Fe 3+ could bring about a big increase in the photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation. The main reactive oxygen species and photocatalytic mechanism of Fe-doped BiOCl under visible light irradiation were discussed in detail.