Synthesis of Co3O4/BiOBr/BiOI Ternary Heterostructure and its Photocatalytic Degradation of RhB

Rhodamine B (RhB), an alkaline cationic organic dye, poses a significant threat to natural water environments. In this investigation, composites of Co3O4 and BiOBr/BiOI were synthesized and evaluated for degradation of RhB under visible light irradiation. The photocatalyst (CBB-2) with a 10wt% Co3O4 composite exhibited superior degradation efficiency, achieving 99.5% within 80 min and maintaining robust stability over four cycles. Meanwhile, after 90 min of light exposure, the mineralization rate of RhB reached 57.23%. A suite of characterization techniques verified the successful synthesis of the dual type-II heterojunction in the composite catalyst and the reinforced interactions among its components, thereby enhancing charge separation efficiency and photoresponsive performance. Free radical quenching experiments elucidated the critical role of center dot O-2(-) and h(+) as radicals in the photocatalytic reaction process.