SDS-assisted solvothermal synthesis of rose-like BiOBr partially enclosed by {111} facets and enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity.

Rose-like BiOBr nanostructures with exposed {111} facets were firstly synthesized with the assistance of an anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), via a facile solvothermal route. The 2D nanosheets, which self-assembled to form the 3D structures, were achieved with the thickness decreasing from average 120 nm to 20 nm. Specially, the nanosheets were partially enclosed by {111} facets due to the effect of SDS. The as-prepared BiOBr with {111} facets exhibited excellent electrochemical behavior and photocatalytic activity under both visible light (λ≥ 420 nm) and monochromatic light (λ = 420 nm) irradiation.