Synthesis of BiOCl Colloidal Particles by Laser Ablation of Solids in Liquids

Abstract

Colloidal bismuth nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized in sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions at different concentrations using the laser ablation of solids in liquids technique. The obtained materials were characterized using various techniques. The morphology, size, and crystalline phases were determined through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The optical properties were studied using UV–visible spectroscopy, employing the Tauc method to determine the band gap of the particles. Two types of materials were identified depending on the NaCl concentration: spherical nanoparticles of α-Bi2O3 and the coexistence of α-Bi2O3 and BiOCl particles with irregular morphology. NaCl concentrations higher than 11.6% enable the coexistence of α-Bi2O3 and BiOCl. The photocatalytic response of the colloids was evaluated by the degrading rhodamine B under visible light irradiation. The sample synthesized at a NaCl concentration of 31.6% showed the best photocatalytic activity.

Keywords

• BiOCl
• laser ablation
• colloidal particles