Fabrication of a PCN/BiOBr 2D hybrid with improved photocatalytic performance of 2,4-dichorophenol degradation

Abstract

Photocatalysis has received much attention as an environmentally friendly route to manage the emerging organic pollution problems. Herein, BiOBr nanosheets have been synthesized by a hydrothermal method, and then PCN/BiOBr hybrids are designed via a facile wet chemical method. The as-prepared PCN/BiOBr hybrids are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-vis DRS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The PCN/BiOBr composite exhibits remarkable improved activity in the degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) as compared to the pristine BiOBr. Based on the ·OH amount-related fluorescence spectra fluorescence and the photoelectrochemistry (PEC) tests, it is confirmed that the enhanced photocatalytic performance of PCN/BiOBr is attributed to the promoted charge separation. Moreover, by means of the radical-trapping experiments it is demonstrated that the formed ·O₂⁻ species, as the electron-modulated direct products, are the primary active species during the photocatalytic degradation of 2,4-DCP. This work would provide a feasible design strategy to fabricate high-activity photocatalysts for 2,4-DCP degradation.