A Facile Approach for the Synthesis of Zn(2)SnO(4)/BiOBr Hybrid Nanocomposites with Improved Visible-Light Photocatalytic Performance

In this study, a novel Zn(2)SnO(4)/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(2)SnO(4) 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(2)SnO(4)/BiOBr hybrid photocatalyst was promoted, as compared to that of pure Zn(2)SnO(4). Evidenced by electro-negativity theoretical calculation, Zn(2)SnO(4) and BiOBr possessed matched band edges for accelerating photogenerated charge separation at the interface. The Zn(2)SnO(4)/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(2)SnO(4) nanoparticles and BiOBr nanoplates, being able to favor the prompt charge migration and suppress the recombination of photogenerated carriers in the hybrid system.