Controlled synthesis of one-dimensional BiOBr with exposed (110) facets and enhanced photocatalytic activity

Novel one-dimensional rod-like BiOBr with exposed (110) facets (BiOBr-110) was synthesized by the self-sacrifice template method using glucose as the capping agent and structure-directing agent. The glucose can interact with the (001) facet of the BiOBr nanoparticles and suppress the growth of these planes, which results in the formation of ultrathin BiOBr nanosheets with exposed (001) facets. At the same time, glucose induces these ultrathin nanosheets to assemble along the [001] orientation of the BiOBr nanosheets, resulting in the formation of BiOBr nanorods with exposed (110) facets. BiOBr-110 displays better photocatalytic capability than BOBr-001 for dye degradation, which is attributed to the higher conductive band potential and narrower band gap in BiOBr-110. Additionally, BiOBr-110 has a higher charge transfer efficiency and lower charge transfer resistance than BiOBr-001. This work should offer a simple method to control the synthesis of BiOBr with exposed (110) facets.