Flower-like BiOBr decorated stainless steel wire-mesh as immobilized photocatalysts for photocatalytic degradation applications

Stainless steel wire mesh/bismuth oxybromide (BiOBr) were synthesized as immobilized photocatalysts. The effects of conductive wire mesh substrate and calcination on the photocatalytic performance were investigated. The morphology, crystal structure, composition, and optical properties of hierarchical wire mesh/BiOBr photocatalyst were investigated. The degradation of 99% dye can be achieved within 50 min by S250 photocatalyst which was calcined at 250 °C. The recycled photocatalyst also shows good stability. The activity of the immobilized photocatalysts was enhanced by increasing the surface area (flower-like texture of BiOBr), facilitating separation of photogenerated charge carriers (good contact between BiOBr and conductive stainless steel wire mesh), and improving the crystal properties (facet effect, dominant (001) facets by calcination). This study provides a way to optimizing the activity of immobilized photocatalysts for the treatment of hazardous pollutants in wastewater.