Flower-like Ag3VO4/BiOBr n-p heterojunction photocatalysts with enhanced visible-light-driven catalytic activity

Ag 3 VO 4 /BiOBr n-p heterojunctions were prepared via chemical deposition. Ag 3 VO 4 /BiOBr consists of Ag 3 VO 4 nanoparticles with sizes ranging from several to tens nanometers and flower-like BiOBr microspheres composed of irregular nanosheets. The photocatalytic performance of Ag 3 VO 4 /BiOBr and relevant samples was investigated in the visible-light-driven degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB), methylene blue (MB), methyl orange (MO), and tetracycline hydrochloride (TC). Ag 3 VO 4 /BiOBr heterojunction with a BiOBr/Ag 3 VO 4 mass ratio of 10% was more active than a physical mixture of Ag 3 VO 4 and BiOBr, showing the importance of forming the heterojunction. Photogenerated holes (h + ) and superoxide radical anions ( O 2 − ) were found to be the primary active species. A possible mechanism for the enhanced photocatalytic performance was proposed.