Constructing 2D BiOCl/C₃N₄ layered composite with large contact surface for visible-light-driven photocatalytic degradation

Highlights: • 2D BiOCl/C₃N₄ layered composite with large contact surface was constructed. • The rate constant of optimal BiOCl/C₃N₄ was 6.05 time higher than that of C₃N₄. • Enhanced photocatalytic performance was mainly ascribed to large contact surface. • The photodegradation mechanism of 2D BiOCl/C₃N₄ to methyl orange was discussed. - Abstract: The design and construction of a two-dimensional (2D) layered composite with large contact surface provide an efficient way for solving detrimental photoinduced carriers recombination. In this work, 2D layered composite coupling (001) facet of BiOCl nanoplates and (002) facet of C₃N₄ nanosheets was reasonable designed and successful constructed. In comparison with pure C₃N₄, the BiOCl/C₃N₄ hybrid structure with loading of 70% BiOCl exhibits the highest methyl orange photodegradation performance although BiOCl/C₃N₄ hybrid photocatalyst harvest less visible light. Obviously, enhanced photocatalytic performance is mainly ascribed to large contact surface of 2D layered hybrid structure, which is favorable for the interface electrons transfer and the separation of carriers between C₃N₄ and BiOCl. A probable degradation mechanism based on trapping experiments of active species, transient photocurrents, photoluminescence spectra, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and energy band structures is proposed. This work may provide a further insight into the rational construction composites with large interface contact for high-efficiency light utilization.