Anti-aggregation and morphology-controlled effects of bacterial cellulose encapsulated BiOBr for enhanced photodegradation efficiency

A series of morphology-controlled BiOBr nano/macrostructures was successfully synthesized via a novel biomass-route derived from bacterial cellulose (BC). In the BiOBr/BC system compared with pure BiOBr, the three-dimensional BC scaffolds not only effectively prevented the aggregation of BiOBr units by pore confinement, but also strengthened the controllability of BiOBr size with the help of abundant anchoring sites provided by cross-linked BC fibers. By associating the results of characterizations and the photodegradation of RhB dye, the relationship between morphology and photocatalytic activity of BiOBr/BC was investigated. In addition, a possible mechanism for the enhanced photocatalytic activity of the optimized BiOBr/BC has been discussed. This biomass-derived route provides a platform for further design of bismuth-based composite photocatalysts with potential advantages of being anti-aggregation, highly-dispersed, easily recovered and having enhanced catalytic performance.