Co-exposed crystal facets optimizing photocatalytic activity and photosensitization ability: A case of facile, fast and scalable synthesis of BiOBr round nanosheets

BiOBr round nanosheets were obtained by a facile, fast and scalable synthesis methodology in ambient conditions. The as-prepared sheet-shaped three-dimensional nanostructured BiOBr exposes reactive {001} surface facets, as well as {110} and {200} lateral facets. The average diameter is only 80–100 nm, and the thickness ∼20 nm. BiOBr not only exhibits excellent photocatalytic activity in degradation of Bisphenol A, outperforming hydrothermally synthesized BiOBr and other important visible-light-responsive photocatalysts such as BiOI, Bi2WO6, BiVO4, P25, g-C3N4 or Cu2(OH)PO4, it also possesses extraordinary activity in degradation of photoexcited dye molecules. A high reactive {001} facets exposure is demonstrated beneficial for photocatalytic activity in degradation of Bisphenol A. At the same time, the exposure of {110} and {200} facets also benefits photo-excited dye degradation ability, which is likely related to favorable adsorption on sites associated with these facets. The co-exposed facets optimizing for multi-properties endow the easily obtained BiOBr nanocrystals potential application in dye-sensitized solar cells, light-emitting diodes, or optoelectronic devices. Also, we believe our finding improve the ability of creating advanced nanosized structures for multifunctional devices.