Preparation of g-C3N4/BiOBr Composites and Their Enhanced Visible-Light Photocatalytic Performance

Abstract

Novel g-C3N4/BiOBr composites were prepared successfully by a simple liquid-phase precipitation method. The morphologies and microstructures of the photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). With dye Rhodamine B as a model pollutant, the photocatalytic activities of the g-C3N4/BiOBr composites with various mass ratio was explored, and the possible photocatalytic mechanism was investigated briefly. The results showed that g-C3N4/BiOBr composites were formed successfully, and some fine flakes of g-C3N4 embedded in the staggered spaces and surface of BiOBr nanosheets with thickness of 50-80 nm. Compared with pure g-C3N4 and pure BiOBr, g-C3N4/BiOBr composites showed enhanced activities for both adsorption and photocatalytic decoloration of RhB. The optimum mass ratio was found to be 1:4 (g-C3N4: BiOBr) exhibiting the highest photocatalytic activity. The combination between g-C3N4 and BiOBr in composites could increase the surface area, so then improve the adsorption properties, moreover, it could contribute to separation and migration for the charge carriers. The effects of various scavengers on photocatalytic efficiency revealed that h+ played predominant role for the photo-decoloration of RhB on g-C3N4/BiOBr composites.