Advanced photocatalytic performance of PVP-modified BiOBr materials for the removal of 2,4-DCP and mechanism insight

BiOBr can degrade pollutants under visible light, and it is a new star in the field of photocatalysis. However, its practical application still faces great challenges, and it still needs to be designed and modified to obtain high catalytic performance for efficient degradation of organic pollutants. Herein, we have realized the simple preparation and efficient catalysis of a BiOBr composite catalyst. This catalyst combines the dual effects of stable adsorption and efficient degradation. This spherical catalyst is composed of surfactant PVP and BiOBr and has higher photocatalytic efficiency. It is found that PVP on the surface of BiOBr firmly adsorbs 2,4-dichlorophenol on the surface of the catalyst, and the petal like microsphere structure makes full use of light energy to achieve high-efficiency photocatalysis. The catalytic effect of the composite catalyst is 1.53 times higher than that of the pure BiOBr catalyst. This study will help us better understand the comprehensive effects of adsorption and degradation of surfactants and catalytic materials, and develop new and reliable green photocatalysts.