Novel mesoporous bismuth oxyiodide single-crystal nanosheets with enhanced catalytic activity

A simple one-step approach was employed to fabricate novel BiOI nanosheets and mesoporous Bi4O5I2 single-crystal nanosheets. The formation mechanism of the as-prepared two-dimensional mesoporous sheet-like structure and photocatalytic activities were systematically discussed. The stripping effect of I2 vapor generated in the calcination process was concluded to be responsible for the formation of this two-dimensional mesoporous structure. Moreover, relying on this advantage, Bi4O5I2 displayed excellent activities in the degradation of RhB and salicylic acid under visible light irradiation.