Synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic properties of BiOBr catalyst

BiOBr photocatalyst was prepared by a facile hydrolysis method, and then characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, N2 sorption isotherms, and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The as-prepared BiOBr photocatalyst was found to be a tetragonal crystal structure, homogeneous particles of fine ferrite plates, surface area of 32.19 m2/g, and band gap of 2.92 eV. The photocatalytic property and mechanism of BiOBr were investigated by the degradation of methylene orange (MO) in aqueous solution under xenon lamp irradiation. The results indicated that the optimum amount of BiOBr powder was 0.8 g/L for MO degradation under xenon lamp irradiation, and its catalytic performance was as good as that of P25-TiO2. The mechanism study showed that photogenerated holes and •OH played important roles in photocatalytic degradation. The photocatalytic degradation results of humic acids, methylene blue, and MO in aqueous solution further verified the high catalytic activity and non-selectivity of BiOBr.