Achieving Enhanced UV and Visible Light Photocatalytic Activity for Ternary Ag/AgBr/BiOIO3: Decomposition for Diverse Industrial Contaminants with Distinct Mechanisms and Complete Mineralization Ability

Heterojunction fabrication and noble metal deposition serving as efficacious means for promoting photocatalytic activity attract huge interests. Here, a series of ternary Ag/AgBr/BiOIO3 composite photocatalysts that integrate the above two aspects are prepared by in situ crystallization of Ag/AgBr on BiOIO3. The photocatalytic performance is first investigated by degrading MO with visible light and UV light irradiation. The results indicate that Ag/AgBr/BiOIO3 composites present strengthened photocatalytic activity compared with BiOIO3 and Ag/AgBr under both light sources. Distinct activity enhancement levels corresponding to different mechanisms with UV and visible light illumination are uncovered, which are closely related to the applied light source. The universal catalytic activity of Ag/AgBr/BiOIO3 is surveyed by decomposition of diverse antibiotics and phenols, including tetracydine hydrochloride, chlortetracycline hydrochloride, bisphenol A, phenol, and 2,4-dichlorophenol which discloses that this ternary heterojunction photocatalyst demonstrates unselective catalytic activity with universality. Importantly, Ag/AgBr/BiOIO3 displays a strong mineralization ability, completely decomposing BPA into CO2 and H2O. This work affords a new reference for designing heterojunction photocatalyst with multiple advantageous effect and powerful capability for environmental purification.