In response to escalating water pollution, electroassisted photocatalysis integrates an external electric field with photocatalysis to enhance wastewater treatment efficiency. Bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl) is considered a highly promising photoanode material due to its outstanding photocatalytic activity. However, its wide bandgap and limited visible light response restrict its practical applications. Herein, the effects of Mg2+, Nd3+, Mn2+ and Ce3+ doping on the band structure and electroassisted photocatalytic performance of BiOCl are systematically compared. Among the investigated dopants, Nd3+ most effectively narrows the bandgap and extends the photoresponse range. Nd-BiOCl with a feed ratio of 60% exhibits optimal charge separation and transport, achieving a methyl orange degradation efficiency of 97.34% within 45 min under simulated sunlight. Based on a systematic and comparative analysis of multimetal-ion doping, this study elucidates the intrinsic advantages of Nd3+ in tailoring the band structure of BiOCl, facilitating photogenerated charge carrier migration, and ultimately enhancing electroassisted photocatalytic efficiency. These insights establish a systematic material design paradigm and provide a strategic basis for the development of highly efficient electroassisted photocatalytic wastewater treatment systems.
Shen et al. (Tue,) studied this question.