Fabrication of BiOBr nanosheets@TiO2 nanobelts p–n junction photocatalysts for enhanced visible-light activity

The construction of p–n junction structure is a smart strategy for improving the photocatalytic activity, since p–n junctions can inhibit the recombination of photo-induced charges. Herein, BiOBr [email protected]2 nanobelts p–n junction photocatalysts were prepared by assembling BiOBr nanosheets on the surface of TiO2 nanobelts via a hydrothermal route followed by a co-precipitation process. [email protected]2 p–n junction photocatalysts exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity in photocatalytic H2 production over water splitting and photodegradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation. Mott–Schottky plots confirmed the formation of p–n junctions in the interface of BiOBr and TiO2. The enhanced photocatalytic performance can be ascribed to the 1D nanostructure and the formation of p–n junctions. This work shows a potential application of low cost BiOBr as a substitute for noble metals in photocatalytic H2 production under visible light irradiation.