The Ag–BiOBrxI1−x composite photocatalyst: Preparation, characterization and their novel pollutants removal property

A series of Ag-loaded photocatalysts of Ag–BiOBr x I 1− x have been synthesized by a solution method and characterized by variety methods. The degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) showed that these samples exhibited excellent and composition-dependent performance in the visible light region. The Ag–BiOBr 0.75 I 0.25 composite photocatalyst shows the highest photocatalytic activity in the degradation of RhB and 4-CP pollution. The load of metal Ag has remarkably improved the photocatalytic activity. The significant enhancement in the Ag–BiOXs photoactivity could be both the effect of Ag deposits as electron traps and the surface plasma resonance absorption effect of Ag. A possible mechanism of enhanced activity of Ag–BiOXs was proposed based on the analysis of the band gap structure.