A Novel Heterojunction BiOBr/Bismuth Oxyhydrate Photocatalyst with Highly Enhanced Visible Light Photocatalytic Properties

Abstract

In this study, a facile and effective method to modify the photocatalytic performance of a bismuth oxybromide (BiOBr) semiconductor through the fabrication of a heterojunction with a hydrated bismuth oxide (BHO) is reported. The new yBiOBr-(1 – y)BHO heterojunction, synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method, exhibits a high photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation for the photodegradation of typical organic pollutants in water, such as Rhodamine B (RhB) and acetophenone (AP). Both the individual BiOBr and BHO components show very low photocatalytic efficiency. Furthermore, the unique photocatalytic performance of the new hybrid material was demonstrated through the uphill photocatalytic reaction that involves the oxidation of potassium iodide (KI) to triiodide. The remarkable photocatalytic activity of the coupled system is directly related to the effectual charge carrier separation due to the formation of the heterostructure. 0.9BiOBr-0.1BHO shows a higher photocatalytic activity as comp...