Synthesis of mesoporous BiOBr 3D microspheres and their photodecomposition for toluene

► Mesoporous bismuth oxybromide (BiOBr) microspheres assembled by nanosheets were synthesized by a simple solvothermal route. ► It was reported for the first time that mesoporous BiOBr microspheres were used to degrade gas phase toluene. ► The intermediates under different irradiation source were identified and the relationship between intermediates and reaction rate constant was discussed. ► Fifteen kinds of intermediates were detected through GC-MS analysis, and a tentative degradation pathway was proposed.