Highly efficient visible-light photocatalyst based on cellulose derived carbon nanofiber/BiOBr composites

Abstract There is an urgent need to explore alternatives to replace traditional carbonaceous materials because of dwindling oil reserves and increasing atomospheric carbon dioxide. In the present study, the cellulose derived carbon nanofibers (CCNF) were prepared and used to hybridize with bismuth oxybromide to prepare novel photocatalyst composites (CCNF/BiOBr). The structural properties of the prepared composites were then characterized. Afterwards, the photocatalytic performance of the CCNF/BiOBr composites was investigated through degrading rhodamine B (RhB) under continuous visible light irradiation. The results indicated that the pyrolysis process could convert the cellulose to carbon nanofiber with high graphitization degree. The photocatalytic performance of the CCNF/BiOBr composite was better than that of the pure BiOBr, which was ascribed to the introduction of the CCNF into the composite system. The present work provides a promising way to design new photocatalyst composites with desirable carbon alternatives from biomass materials for effective treatment of organic contaminants in water media. Graphical Abstract