Abstract
In this study, a novel Zn&sub2;SnO&sub4;/BiOBr hybrid photocatalyst was prepared via a mild hydrothermal synthesis combined with a chemical deposition method. The morphological structure, chemical composition, crystal structure, and optical properties were comprehensively characterized by a series of measurement techniques. Morphological observation showed that fine Zn&sub2;SnO&sub4; nanoparticles were anchored on the nanoplate surface of a flower-like BiOBr 3D hierarchical structure. The experimental results of UV-vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy revealed that the visible-light absorptive capacity of the Zn&sub2;SnO&sub4;/BiOBr hybrid photocatalyst was promoted, as compared to that of pure Zn&sub2;SnO&sub4;. Evidenced by electro-negativity theoretical calculation, Zn&sub2;SnO&sub4; and BiOBr possessed matched band edges for accelerating photogenerated charge separation at the interface. The Zn&sub2;SnO&sub4;/BiOBr hybrid photocatalyst exhibited enhanced photocatalytic performance in the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation. According to the band energy structure and the experimental results, the enhanced photocatalytic performance was ascribed to the improved visible-light absorptive capacity and the contact interface between Zn&sub2;SnO&sub4; nanoparticles and BiOBr nanoplates, being able to favor the prompt charge migration and suppress the recombination of photogenerated carriers in the hybrid system.