Abstract: Nano BiOCl microsphere was prepared by the solvothermal method using glycol as solvent. The as-prepared nano microsphere was composed numerous BiOCl nanoplates, which are fabricated together to form opening microporous structure. The preparation of BiOCl under different solvothermal conditions indicated that the formation of nano microsphere follows a glycol-assisted growth process. Two oxygen atoms in glycol coordinate with one or two Bi³⁺ ions to produce Bi³⁺-containing complexes. During the solvothermal treatment, glycol molecules were condensed via the catalysis of Bi³⁺ ions to produce H₂O, which promoted the hydrolysis of Bi³⁺-containing complexes and the formation of a Bi–O–Bi structure in turn. The Bi–O–Bi structure then combines the Bi³⁺ in the solution via the interlinking action of the glycol and leads to the formation of BiOCl substructure. The BiOCl substructure grows up radially from the crystal nucleus to form a nano microsphere structure. The surface microporous structure of the nano microsphere favors the adsorption and the mass exchange of the dyes, consequently, the as-prepared BiOCl nano microsphere exhibits a good dye-sensitized visible light photocatalytic activity.

Key words: bismuth oxychloride, nanoplate, solvothermal method, microsphere, photocatalysis, methyl orange degradetion