Optimized design of novel Pt decorated 3D BiOBr flower-microsphere synthesis for highly efficient photocatalytic properties

3D BiOBr flower-microspheres decorated with small amount (0.02–0.5 wt%) of Pt nanoparticles were successfully prepared via new electrostatic-adsorption-assisted light-reduction route. The as-prepared samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, HRTEM, EDS, XPS, UV–Vis DRS, PL, and photocurrent measurements. The photocatalytic activities were tested through the photocatalytic degradation of Bisphenol A (BPA) under visible light (420 nm?<?λ?<?680 nm) and simulated sunlight (320 nm?<?λ?<?680 nm) irradiation. The results indicate that Pt loading do not change the structural morphologies and particle sizes of BiOBr flower-microspheres, but there exists an enhanced photocurrent effect, greatly achieving the highly efficient photocatalytic activity of BiOBr under visible-light and simulated sunlight irradiation. 0.2 wt% Pt/BiOBr sample reveals the highest photocatalytic activity for the degradation on BPA with almost 92% under 10 min, much better than pure BiOBr and (P25) TiO₂. The presence of synergistic effect between Pt⁴⁺ and Pt⁰ has vital impact on the electron capture and transfer from the semiconductor to noble metal, preventing the fast electron/hole recombination and participating in the multi-electron reduction of O₂, and, consequently, achieving the formation of effective photocatalytic active species. Our findings should provide the fundamental data for making further research efforts in the hot topic on the monatomic Pt-modified photocatalyst systems.