Activated carbon doped for bismuth oxy-iodide-based nanocomposites

A nanocomposite, comprising, relative to total nanocomposite weight:

• bismuth oxy-iodide in at least 90 wt. %;
• and
• activated carbon in a range of from 1 to 10 wt. %,
• wherein the bismuth oxy-iodide comprises the iodine in a range of from 27 to 35 wt. %, the bismuth in a range of from 60 to 62 wt. %, and the oxygen in I to 5 wt. %
• wherein the activated carbon is in a form of particles and/or particulate aggregates having micropores and mesopores,
• wherein the particles of the activated carbon are substantially spherical such that a distance from an activated carbon particle center of mass to anywhere on the activated carbon particle outer surface varies by less than 30%,
• wherein the bismuth oxy-iodide in the nanocomposite has tetragonal hollow nanosphere structures,
• wherein the activated carbon has a surface area in a range of from 500 to 5000 m2/g,
• wherein the nanocomposite has a crystal size in a range of from 11.7 to 47.9 nm,
• wherein the nanocomposite has a crystal lattice size in a range of from 0.022 to 0.023 Å,
• wherein the nanocomposite has a lattice strain in a range of from 0.604 to 0.607 Å, and
• wherein the nanocomposite comprises no graphene, carbon nanofibers, or nanotubes.