Constructing BiOBr/g-C3N4/Bi2O2CO3 Z-scheme photocatalyst with enhanced photocatalytic activity

In this work, the novel camellia-structured double Z-scheme BiOBr/g-C3N4/Bi2O2CO3 was simply prepared by a hydrothermal method. XRD, FTIR, SEM, TEM, XPS, UV-DRS, and PL were used to investigate the composition, morphology, chemical condition, and optical properties of the prepared samples, respectively. The ternary heterojunction photodegraded Rhodamine B under visible light within 60 min with much higher degradation efficiency (98 %) comparing with pure BiOBr, g-C3N4, and Bi2O2CO3. Radical trapping experiments and ESR results exhibited the main reactive species (·O2− and ·OH) during the degradation process. The formation of dual Z-scheme heterojunction improved the rate of charge separation, enhanced the absorption of visible light, and thus promoted the photocatalytic activity. The BiOBr/g-C3N4/Bi2O2CO3 photocatalysts are a promising material for the removal of dye in effluents.