Synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic activities of novel bentonite‐supported BiOCl–ZnO heterojunction (BiOCl–ZnO–Bentonite) under UV light

Herein, we report the synthesis of a new composite catalyst immobilized on bentonite surface (BiOCl–ZnO–Bent). The samples were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), X‐ray Diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, photoluminescence, and Diffuse Reflectance Spectra (UV‐Vis DRS) analyses. BiOCl were observed as nanosheets, whereas ZnO particles were nearly spherical (SEM images). Bentonite clay was used to increase the surface area of the samples. Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area of Bi/Zn/Bent (50%) catalyst was lower than that of the ZnO–Bent and BiOCl–Bent. The prepared photocatalyst decomposed 10 mg L−1 of 3‐chlorophenol (3‐CP) within 180 min under UV light. Bi/Zn/Bent (50%) catalyst showed the highest photocatalytic activity. A proposed degradation mechanism for Bi/Zn/Bent (50%) composite is also discussed.