Synthesis of a BiOCl Br @AgBr heterostructure with enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light.

We present a facile approach to preparing a BiOCl Br @AgBr heterostructure using a two-step solvothermal method. Multiple characterisation techniques have been employed to investigate its morphology, structure, optical and electronic properties and photocatalytic performance. The photocatalytic activity of the BiOCl Br @AgBr heterostructure was sufficiently evaluated by adopting Reactive Blue KN-R as the target organic pollutant under visible light irradiation. The as-prepared BiOCl Br @AgBr exhibited much higher photocatalytic activity than BiOCl Br and BiOCl, which was ascribed to the movement of photogenerated electrons from AgBr to BiOCl Br , resulting in effective charge separation and transfer. Moreover, the modification of BiOCl Br with AgBr broadened the light absorption range, making the composite suitable for visible light excitation. The excellent photocatalytic performance provides potential opportunities to utilize BiOCl Br @AgBr for environmental purification and organic pollution treatment of water.