LAUSR

Abstract Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) were deposited onto BiOCl 1−x Br x nanosheets by using a facile ultrasonic treatment. The obtained Au-BiOCl 1−x Br x composites exhibit excellent photocatalytic property in the reaction of decomposing phenol aqueous solution under simulated solar light irradiation. There is a positive relationship exists in the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of Au NPs and enhanced activities, which is contributed to the separation of photo-induced electrons and holes as well as facilitate the absorption of visible light. In addition, the tunable energy band structure might be beneficial to enhance the photocatalytic activities of Au-BiOCl 1−x Br x composites for optimizing the bandgap. And the OH and h + species were the main active species in photocatalytic reactions. In this paper, the Au-BiOCl 1−x Br x photocatalysts were demonstrated to be a promising material for practical applications in the purification of organic pollutants.