Synthesis and significantly enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity of BiOCl/AgBr heterostructured composites

Heterostructured BiOCl/AgBr composites were synthesized by a solvothermal process combined with precipitation method. The structural characterization and optical properties of BiOCl/AgBr photocatalysts were well studied by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and UV-vis diffuse reflection spectrum. The photocatalytic activities of as-synthesized photocatalysts were evaluated by the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation. The results indicated that the sample prepared with BiOCl/AgBr molar ratio of 1 exhibited best photocatalytic performance and stability against RhB, which could be attributed to the synergistic effect between the layered BiOCl and AgBr with narrowed band gap, enabling the effective separation of photoelectron-holes.