A novel CdWO4/BiOBr p-n heterojunction as visible light photocatalyst

A novel heterojunction photocatalyst CdWO4/BiOBr was fabricated combining nano-rod CdWO4 with flake-like BiOBr through a hydrothermal and subsequently chemical precipitation method. The samples were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Energy dispersive X-ray detector (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and UV-vis spectrophotometer. Moreover the photocatalytic activities were evaluated by decomposing dye molecule RhB under visible light irradiation. The results showed that high photocatalytic performance can be achieved on the heterojunction photocatalysts with the 15% CdWO4/BiOBr composite displaying highest activity. The results of the study concluded that it was the introduction of BiOBr into the catalyst that mainly enhanced the activity of the photocatalyst by promoting the separation of electronehole group on the interface of BiOBr and CdWO4. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.