Leaf-like hybrid of bismuth subcarbonate nanotubes/graphene sheet with highly efficient photocatalytic activities

In this work, leaf-like hybrid with Bi₂O₂CO₃ nanotubes as the "veins" and graphene sheet as the "laminae" is fabricated via a facile one-pot reaction of bismuth nitrate and graphene oxide in alkaline aqueous solution. With the uniform distribution of Bi₂O₂CO₃ nanotubes on the graphene substrate, the obtained Bi₂O₂CO₃-NT/G manifests high specific surface area (90.4m²g^-1) and large pore volume (0.197cm³g^-1), which are favorable for the efficient light capturing together with the rapid transfer of mass and charge carriers. In comparison with the pure Bi₂O₂CO₃ nanotubes and commercial Bi₂O₂CO₃, Bi₂O₂CO₃-NT/G exhibits much enhanced activity and long-term stability towards the photocatalytic degradation of organic dye pollutant, which is owing to its unique leaf-like structural features.