EDTA-modified bismuth oxyhalide nanomaterials: hydrogen production from photocatalysts that water splitting.

This article provides an effective synthesis route to enhance the photocatalytic properties of bismuth oxihalides (BiOX, X = Cl, Br, I) for hydrogen production via photocatalysis. The coprecipitation method was employed, with the addition of Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as a complexing agent. It was found that the presence of EDTA during synthesis led to a significant improvement in the physicochemical properties of the materials, such as their surface area and porosity. Additionally, changes in the crystalline structure and optical response of the materials were observed. The results of structural, optical, and photoelectrochemical characterization revealed that the BiOI-E photocatalyst, synthesized with EDTA, exhibited the best photocatalytic activity for hydrogen production under visible light irradiation. It was demonstrated that this material presents higher efficiency in charge carrier separation and lower electron transport resistance, resulting in increased hydrogen generation.