A novel visible-light-active β-Bi2O3/BiOBr heterojunction photocatalyst with remarkably enhanced photocatalytic activity

A series of beta-Bi2O3/BiOBr heterojunction photocatalysts were successfully synthesized by in-situ treatment of beta-Bi2O3 with HBr. The as-synthesized beta-Bi2O3/BiOBr composites displayed remarkably enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity for RhB degradation compared to pure beta-Bi(2)O(3 )and BiOBr. The value of the apparent rate constant for the optimal sample was about 50.9 and 7.1 times higher than that of pure beta-Bi2O3 and BiOBr, respectively. The enhanced photocatalytic activity is attributed to the formation of a heterojunction between beta-Bi2O3 and BiOBr, which leads to an efficient separation of electron-hole pairs. The present work provides a new type of visible-light-active beta-Bi2O3-based heterojunction photocatalysts that are promising for practical applications.