Enhanced photocatalytic degradation of phenol and rhodamine B over flower-like BiOBr decorated by C70

Abstract

In this study, flower-like BiOBr photocatalyst was prepared by a facile hydrothermal approach with the assistance of C70. C70/BiOBr photocatalyst was characterized by a serials method. The presence of C70 promotes the specific surface area and induces BiOBr to form unique flower-like structure as template as well as boosts the surface hydroxyl content. Originating from powerful electron acceptability of C70, C70/BiOBr holds high separation rate of photo-excited carriers, resulting in formation of high level of •O2− and •OH. All these advantage factors endow with C70/BiOBr enhanced photocatalytic activity toward degradation of phenol and rhodamine B (RhB) under simulated sunlight irradiation. Moreover, C70/BiOBr possesses good stability due to the strong chemical interaction between C70 and BiOBr, proven by XRD and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) characterization. The study provides a valid strategy to design and prepare high-performance sunlight-driven BiOBr-based photocatalysts.