BiOBr/Bi2MoO6 composite in flower-like microspheres with enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible-light irradiation

Abstract

BiOBr/Bi₂MoO₆ composites in flower-like microspheres were synthesized by a facile solvothermal method. This photocatalyst could be activated by visible light owing to the narrow energy band gaps of both Bi₂MoO₆ and BiOBr. The BiOBr/Bi₂MoO₆ composites exhibited high activity in the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B and other organic pollutants under visible-light irradiation owing to enhanced light harvesting via multiple reflections inside the flower-like structure and due to the reduced photoelectron–hole recombination due to the formation of BiOBr–Bi₂MoO₆ heterojunctions. The dominant active species during the photocatalytic oxidation of RhB were determined as photogenerated holes and ·O₂⁻ was distinguished as the sub-main active site. The RhB mineralized into CO₂ through the de-ethylation route via forming five intermediates.