Enhanced photocatalytic degradation by higher exposure of {110} facet and surface oxygen vacancies of BiOBr through cobalt doping strategy.

Transition metal cobalt doped BiOBr (Co-BOB) was successfully synthesized by using hydrothermal method. The optimized Co-BOB achieved a remarkable rhodamine B degradation rate of 97 % in 30 min under visible light irradiation when initial concentration was 80 mg·L−1. Satisfactory removal efficiency was also observed under ambient sunlight irradiation and various water conditions. The cobalt doping strategy induced abundant surface oxygen vacancies formation (43.22 %) and resulted in an increasing exposure of {110} facets. The photosensitization and photocatalytic activities of Co-BOB significantly enhanced comparing with that of pure BiOBr. The synergy of Co doping and oxygen vacancies also induced the formation of a new band structure in Co-BOB. The synergistic effect promoted the efficient separation of photogenerated electrons and holes. By combining with density functional theory calculation, the RhB photocatalytic degradation mechanism by Co-BOB was proposed. [Display omitted] • Trace amounts of cobalt contributed to the formation of abundant surface oxygen vacancies in BOB. • The photocatalytic degradation efficiency of Co-BOB under visible light irradiation achieved 97 % for 80 mg·L−1 RhB solution. • DFT calculation indicated that the mid-energy levels of Co-BOB were induced by cobalt atoms and oxygen vacancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]