Bismuth oxyhalides represent a promising class of photocatalysts for harvesting solar energy. These materials are often synthesized in aqueous media with poor synthetic control resulting from the extremely fast nucleation and growth rates of the particles. These fast rates are caused by the poor solubility of bismuth precursors and their rapid precipitation with free halide ions. We have developed water-soluble precursors combining bismuth with either chlorine or bromine atoms in the same metal-organic complex. With the application of heat, halide ions are released which then precipitate with bismuth ions as BiOX (X = Cl, Br). By controlling the rate of free halide ion formation, the nucleation and growth rates of BiOX nanomaterials can be lessened, providing additional synthetic control. We demonstrate the potential of these precursors by fabricating thin films of BiOX via spray pyrolysis of the aqueous precursor solutions.

Single-source precursors for the controlled aqueous synthesis of bismuth oxyhalides

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