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Bismuth Oxychloride Nanoplatelets by Breakdown Anodization
Author(s) -
Sopha Hanna,
Spotz Zdenek,
Michalicka Jan,
Hromadko Ludek,
Bulanek Roman,
Wagner Tomas,
Macak Jan M.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
chemelectrochem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.182
H-Index - 59
ISSN - 2196-0216
DOI - 10.1002/celc.201801280
Subject(s) - anodizing , materials science , electrolyte , bismuth , nanostructure , photocatalysis , chemical engineering , decomposition , oxide , dielectric , methylene blue , inorganic chemistry , nanotechnology , metallurgy , chemistry , organic chemistry , catalysis , aluminium , electrode , optoelectronics , engineering
Herein, the synthesis of BiOCl nanoplatelets of various dimensions is demonstrated. These materials were prepared by anodic oxidation of Bi ingots in diluted HCl under dielectric breakdown conditions, triggered by a sufficiently high anodic field. Additionally, it is shown that the use of several other common diluted acids (HNO 3 , H 2 SO 4 , lactic acid) resulted in the formation of various different nanostructures. The addition of NH 4 F to the acidic electrolytes accelerated the growth rate resulting in bismuth‐based nanostructures with comparably smaller dimensions and an enormous volume expansion observed during the growth. On the other hand, the addition of lactic acid to the acidic electrolytes decelerated the oxide growth rate. The resulting nanostructures were characterized using SEM, XRD and TEM. BiOCl nanoplatelets received by anodization in 1 M HCl were successfully employed for the photocatalytic decomposition of methylene blue dye and showed a superior performance compared to commercially available BiOCl powder with a similar crystalline structure, confirming its potential as a visible light photocatalyst.