Significantly enhanced photocatalytic performance of zinc oxide via bismuth oxybromide hybridization and the mechanism study

A highly efficient and stable ZnO–BiOBr composite photocatalyst was prepared by a facile one-pot solvothermal method. A variety of sophisticated techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS), UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectra, photoluminescence spectra and photoelectrochemical measurement, and so on were employed to characterize the materials. The as-prepared ZnO–BiOBr nanocrystalline showed strong photocatalytic activity for decomposition of methylene blue (MB), Orange II and biphenol A (BPA) under simulated visible light illumination. The possible working principle for the superior photocatalytic properties and reusability of the ZnO–BiOBr hybrid was surveyed to disclose contributions of various effects for the photoactivity enhancement. It was pointed out that *OH and holes take priority over ?O₂ ^? radicals in serving as the main oxidant in the reaction system. The experimental results indicated that the ZnO–BiOBr composite is highly photostable and valuable for real environmental applications.