Paratacamite phase stability and improved optical properties of Cu 2 (OH) 3 Cl crystal via Ni-doping

Ni-doped Cu2(OH)3Cl microcrystals were prepared by a facile hydrothermal synthesis without the help of any additive inorganic or organic reagent. The micro-particles were investigated by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) with Rietveld refinement, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV–vis optical absorption, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) etc. Ni-doping could well stabilize the Cu2(OH)3Cl paratacamite phase at ambient temperature. The band structure and energy positions of Ni-doped Cu2(OH)3Cl microparticles were investigated. The band gap of Cu2(OH)3Cl could be greatly decreased by Ni-doping. The conduction band bottom of Ni-doped Cu2(OH)3Cl is lower and possesses greater dispersion than that of pure Cu2(OH)3Cl. The photocatalytic activity of Ni-doped Cu2(OH)3Cl micro-particles was evaluated by the photodegradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) dye under visible-light irradiation. The Ni-doping increases the photocatalytic activity of Cu2(OH)3Cl. The photocatalytic activity was discussed on the base of the structural and electronic characteristics. Keywords: Photocatalyst, Optical properties, Semiconductors, Band structure, Copper oxide