One‐pot combustion synthesis and efficient broad spectrum photoactivity of Bi/Bi OB r:Yb,Er/C photocatalyst

A highly efficient broad spectrum responsive Bi/Bi OB r:Yb,Er/C ternary composite was synthesized by a simple one‐pot combustion method using nitrates and citric acid as raw materials. Experimental results show that Er 3+ /Yb 3+ were successfully doped into Bi OB r lattice, and metallic Bi nanoparticles and carbon species were formed simultaneously. Compared with pure Bi OB r and Bi/Bi OB r/C, as‐synthesized Bi/Bi OB r:Yb,Er/C ternary photocatalyst is highly responsive in the UV ‐visible‐ NIR range, and possesses the best photodegradation performance for Rhodamine B, phenol, and imidacloprid under visible, NIR , or solar light irradiation, which can be attributed to the synergetic effects of surface plasma resonance of metallic Bi, up‐conversion transition of Er 3+ and heterojunctions (Bi/Bi OB r, Bi/C, and Bi OB r/C). Moreover, a plausible mechanism was given, the main active species, and photostability of samples were studied. The solar light photoactivity and influences of pH value and anions (Cl − , SO 4 2− , CO 3 2− , HCO 3 − , and NO 3 − ) were also investigated. This study highlights the advantages of synergetic effects of SPR , up‐conversion and heterojunctions, which provides a useful guide toward the rational design of broad spectrum ( UV ‐visible‐near infrared) photocatalysts.