Photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical properties of in situ carbon hybridized BiPO4 films Original Research Article

In situ hybridization of carbon with BiPO4 films were performed through calcination of amorphous complex precursor films on the Ti substrate under various temperatures. The BiPO4 crystallites were in situ grown into BiPO4 particles on the surface of the Ti substrate. The formed BiPO4 particles in situ hybridized with the residual carbon from precursor calcination to form carbon hybridized BiPO4 films. The extent of hybridization depended on the calcination temperatures. The photocatalytic activities of carbon hybridized BiPO4 films under different calcination temperatures were estimated through photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue. The results indicated that the film prepared at 400 °C presented the highest photocatalytic activity, which was about 1.5 times than that of the film at 550 °C. This phenomenon could be attributed to the higher carbon hybridization extent, higher transfer efficiency of photo-induced electrons between carbon and BiPO4 crystalline nanoparticles in films, and corresponding separation efficiency of photo-induced electrons and holes. The electronic interaction was also systematically investigated by the photoelectrochemical measurements.