LAUSR

Photocatalysis technology has been extensively adopted to abate typical air pollutants. Nevertheless, it is a challenge to develop photocatalysts aiming to simultaneously improve photocatalytic selectivity and efficiency. In this study, to improve the photocatalytic selectivity and the performance of (BiO)2CO3 in the oxidation of NO to target products (NO2- /NO3-), we developed a novel method to construct La-doped (BiO)2CO3 (La-BOC) for forming localized excess electrons (Ex) on (BiO)2CO3 surface. The results indicate that the Ex could effectively accelerate the activation of reactants and promote charge separation and transfer. Under visible light, the gas molecules could capture the Ex and get activated to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) with high oxidation ability, which enables complete oxidation of NO to target products instead of producing other toxic by-products. Due to the functionality of the Ex, the photocatalytic selectivity and efficiency of La-BOC have been synchronously improved. Combining experimental and theoretical methods, this work unravels the pathway of charge carriers transportation/transformation and elucidates the photocatalytic NO oxidation mechanism. The present work could provide a novel method to improve photocatalytic selectivity and activity for safe air pollutant abatement.