Photocatalytic Composite of a Floating BiOBr@Graphene Oxide@Melamine Foam for Efficient Removal of Organics

Hierarchical photocatalytic composite BiOBr@graphene oxide@melamine foam was developed by using a solvothermal process. In this composite, the graphene oxide-wrapped melamine foam acted as the substrate for supporting the catalyst, and the BiOBr nanosheets stably combined with the graphene oxide surface in a uniform distribution. This composite could be floated on the solution surface to inhibit the light shielding effect of colorful organic pollutants. Furthermore, the graphene oxide-wrapped melamine foam provided mass transfer channels for organics and enriched the organics in its 3D structure. BiOBr nanosheets presented efficient photodegradation of organics and solved the problem of adsorption saturation of graphene oxide@melamine foam. Graphene oxide could further improve the light utilization, inhibit the recombination of charges, and enrich the organics. In view of the synergistic effect of adsorption and photocatalysis, this catalyst system realized the efficient removal of the organic rhodamine B and presented the promoted amount of contaminant removal with increased rhodamine B concentration.