The flower-like Ni-MOF modified BiOBr nanosheets with enhancing photocatalytic degradation performance

A novel BiOBr/Ni-MOF composite was fabricated by in-situ growth of BiOBr nanosheets on Ni-MOF through a convenient precipitation process. The optimal photocatalytic performance was achieved with a Ni-MOF mass content of 45 wt% in the BiOBr/Ni-MOF composite. This composite exhibited remarkable efficiency, degrading 98.33 % of Rhodamine B in 90 min, surpassing the degradation rate constants of pristine BiOBr and Ni-MOF by 4.2 and 160 times, respectively. The superior performance was primarily ascribed to the efficient separation of photogenerated carriers facilitated by the formation of heterojunctions. Additionally, the increased specific surface area and pore structure provided numerous adsorption and active sites. Radical scavenger experiments and electron spin resonance experiments further revealed that O2− and h+ played crucial roles in the degradation process. Furthermore, the structural properties of the prepared photocatalysts and the effects of different photocatalytic conditions on the degradation of RhB were investigated. This work offers an alternative perspective on the design and fabrication of BiOBr-based composite photocatalysts.