Synthesis and photocatalytic activity of BiOBr nanosheets with tunable exposed {0 1 0} facets

A series of BiOBr nanosheets with tunable exposing proportion of (0   1   0) facets had been synthesized. In the synthesis process, different n -alcohols are used, which not only promote the exposure of (0   1   0) facets, but also modulate the size and thickness of these BiOBr nanosheets in a wide range. Furthermore, these nanosheets showed an efficient photodegradation activity for salicylic acid (SA) and Rhodamine B (RhB). By comparison, the sample prepared in n -hexanol possessed the highest photocatalytic activity than those synthesized in n -butanol and methanol, respectively. This excellent photocatalytic activity was attributed to the thin lamellar thickness and the exposure of (0   1   0) facets, which facilitated the separation of photoinduced electrons and holes.