Microwave-assisted preparation of flower-like C60/BiOBr with significantly enhanced visible-light photocatalytic performance

The surface properties of photocatalysts significantly affect the photocatalytic activity. For this reason, it is desirable to boost the photocatalytic activity of BiOBr photocatalysts via surface modification. In this demonstration, C-60 was used to decorate BiOBr by a microwave hydrothermal method. The flower-like C-60/BiOBr photocatalysts, assembled by nanosheets, were carefully examined with structural, optical, and compositional analyses. The results confirm that C-60 and BiOBr have been combined together. Because of the existence of synergistic interaction, C-60/BiOBr has a higher specific surface area, higher partition and migration of photo induced carriers, higher surface hydroxyl and O-center dot(2)- levels, higher oxygen vacancies (OVs) concentration on the catalytic surface. The formation of O-center dot(2)- was significantly enhanced, confirmed by nitrotetrazolium blue chloride (NBT) measurements. O-center dot(2)- can be effectively formed by two channels. Based on the photodestruction result of Rhodamine B (RhB), the photocatalytic activity of C-60/BiOBr composites was significantly boosted. In light of all the observations and the high electron affinity of C-60, separation of photoinduced carriers and a formation mechanism of active free radicals is proposed.

Automated summary

The surface modification of BiOBr photocatalysts with C-60 significantly enhances their photocatalytic activity, leading to higher specific surface area and improved photo-induced carrier distribution and migration. The synergistic interaction between C-60 and BiOBr results in increased oxygen vacancies concentration, facilitating the formation of active free radicals and boosting the photocatalytic performance.