Synthesis of BiOBr-graphene and BiOBr-graphene oxide nanocomposites with enhanced visible light photocatalytic performance

Two-dimensional (2D) coupling of BiOBr nanosheets with graphene (Ge) and graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets were synthesized by a simple and low-cost method at room temperature. The as-synthesized samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman Spectroscopy (Raman), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms. The photocatalytic activities of the obtained samples were evaluated not only by degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) in aqueous solution, but also towards removal of NO at the indoor air level under visible-light irradiation. The results showed that the photocatalytic activities of BiOBr-Ge and BiOBr-GO nanocomposites were significantly improved compared to the pure BiOBr. Furthermore, BiOBr-GO exhibited higher photoactivity than that of BiOBr-Ge.