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Morphology evolution and excellent visible‐light photocatalytic activity of BiOBr hollow microspheres
Author(s) -
Yang Yuxin,
Geng Lei,
Guo Yihang,
Guo Yingna
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of chemical technology and biotechnology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.64
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1097-4660
pISSN - 0268-2575
DOI - 10.1002/jctb.5117
Subject(s) - photocatalysis , ostwald ripening , materials science , visible spectrum , chemical engineering , aqueous solution , microsphere , bisphenol a , morphology (biology) , decomposition , photochemistry , specific surface area , nanotechnology , catalysis , chemistry , organic chemistry , composite material , optoelectronics , engineering , genetics , epoxy , biology
BACKGROUND BiOBr is considered a competitive candidate TiO 2 ‐alternative visible‐light‐driven photocatalyst owing to the unique layered structure and suitable band gap. In order to improve the inherent photocatalytic activity of BiOBr further, BiOBr hollow microspheres were prepared by a solvothermal system of Bi(NO 3 ) 3 /CTAB/2‐methoxyethanol/PVP, and their visible‐light photocatalytic performance was evaluated by the degradation of colorless p ‐nitrophenol (PNP) and bisphenol A (BPA). RESULTS BiOBr hollow microspheres exhibited superior visible‐light photocatalytic activity to their solid spherical or flowerlike counterparts in the decomposition of aqueous PNP and BPA as well as Degussa P25 TiO 2 . Superoxide radicals and photogenerated holes were confirmed to be responsible for the complete oxidization of the target pollutants. Additionally, BiOBr hollow microspheres can be reused five times without obvious activity loss. CONCLUSIONS Formation of BiOBr hollow microspheres followed oriented attachment and inside‐out Ostwald ripening growth as well as the synergetic effect between 2‐methoxyethanol and PVP, and the excellent photocatalytic activity of BiOBr hollow microspheres is due to the improved light‐harvesting efficiency, larger BET surface area, increased contact between the active species and target pollutants, shortened mass transfer and diffusion distance as well as fast interfacial charge carrier separation. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry