Abstract

3D hierarchical nanosheets BiOI was obtained via a facile coprecipitation method using bismuth nitrate (Bi(NO3)3) and potassium iodide (KI) as precursors. The photocatalytic property of the BiOI nanostructures by monitoring the degradation of Atrazine (ATZ) and methyl orange (MO) was studied under visible light illumination. The degradation of single anionic MO dye is better when compared with that of Atrazine herbicide. This result is due to the surface negative charges on the BiOI photocatalyst that display good selectivity towards anionic MO dye organic groups owing to electrostatic attraction.