CdBiO2Br nanosheets in situ strong coupling to carbonized polymer dots and improved photocatalytic activity for organic pollutants degradation

Carbonized polymer dots (CPDs) modified layer-structured CdBiO2Br (CPDs/CdBiO2Br) Z-scheme heterojunction hybrid material has been synthesized via simple solvothermal method. The hybrid material with Z-scheme heterojunction can effectively maintain the original highly oxidizing holes of CdBiO2Br and the highly reducing electrons of CPDs. In addition, the construction of heterostructure is beneficial to the migration and separation of photogenerated carriers. Under visible light irradiation, 6 wt% CPDs/CdBiO2Br showed the best catalytic activity for degradation of organic pollutants. Free radical capture experiments and ESR analysis confirmed that the main active species are •O2− and h+. The decomposition process of organic pollutants was analyzed by LC-MS. Finally, the probable visible light mechanism performance of CPDs/CdBiO2Br as direct Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalytic materials was proposed.