Enhanced Visible-Light Photocatalytic Degradation of Rhodamine B Using Sodalite/BiOBr Composites Synthesized via Liquid-Phase Self-Assembly

In this study, a series of sodalite/BiOBr composite photocatalysts were successfully synthesized via a liquid-phase self-assembly strategy and applied to the efficient visible-light-driven degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB). Structural characterizations confirmed the successful integration of sodalite (SOD) and BiOBr, with the SOD/BiOBr (3:7) composite exhibiting an optimal morphology, enhanced interfacial contact, and favorable physicochemical properties. The composite demonstrated broadened visible-light absorption, improved photogenerated charge carrier separation, and significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity, achieving a degradation efficiency of 97.82% within 15 min. Moreover, the SOD/BiOBr (3:7) composite exhibited excellent stability and recyclability, retaining 86.31% of its initial photocatalytic performance after four consecutive cycles. These findings highlight the great potential of SOD/BiOBr composites as highly efficient and reusable photocatalysts for the removal of organic pollutants. Furthermore, LC-MS analysis identified several degradation intermediates, and two possible degradation pathways─N-deethylation and cleavage of the conjugated ring structure─were proposed. Radical trapping experiments indicated that hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and photogenerated holes (h+) were the dominant reactive species involved in the photocatalytic degradation process.