BiOBr nanoplates@TiO2 nanowires/carbon fiber cloth as a functional water transport network for continuous flow water purification

Abstract

A novel BiOBr@TiO₂/carbon hybrid framework as a continuous flow sunlight water purification system has been reported in the present work. The BiOBr@TiO₂/carbon hybrid framework was fabricated via the sequential growth of TiO₂ nanowires and BiOBr nanoplates on carbon fiber cloth. TiO₂ nanowires interweaved with carbon fibers to form a porous network, while BiOBr nanoplates were arrayed on TiO₂ nanowires. The obtained BiOBr@TiO₂/carbon hybrid framework possesses numerous micro/nanochannels between their adjacent one-dimensional building blocks, which can serve as an effective water transport network driven by capillary force. Furthermore, BiOBr@TiO₂/carbon hybrid frameworks exhibit impressive sunlight-driven photocatalytic activity and adsorption ability because of their enhanced sunlight absorption ability, efficient charge separation features, and mesoporous architecture. The excellent reusability and durability of the BiOBr@TiO₂/carbon hybrid frameworks have also been confirmed. A novel BiOBr@TiO₂/carbon hybrid framework based continuous flow sunlight water purification system with a high water purification efficiency (305.6 L h⁻¹ m⁻²) has been constructed in the present work. All the features make the BiOBr@TiO₂/carbon hybrid framework a promising material suitable for water purification.