Synthesis of m-LaVO₄/BiOBr composite photocatalysts and their photocatalytic performance under visible light

Highlights: • A hydrothermal route to m-LaVO₄/BiOBr composite photocatalysts was proposed. • Products exhibit excellent photocatalytic activity under visible light. • Enhanced photocatalytic activity can be ascribed to forming p-n heterojunction. - Abstract: Visible-light driven m-LaVO₄/BiOBr composite photocatalysts were synthesized by a two-step hydrothermal process, and were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, respectively. The results showed that 1.0 wt% LaVO₄/BiOBr sample exhibits the highest photodegradation rate of RhB under visible-light irradiation, within 60 mins, it achieved 83.37%. The enhanced photocatalytic performance can be ascribed to the formation of p-n heterojunction structure and the inhibition of m-LaVO₄ to 2D growth of BiOBr to a certain extent.