LAUSR

Abstract We designed and fabricated novel PbBiO2Br nanosheets via Polyacrylamide gel method. XRD, XPS, SEM, TEM and UV–vis absorption spectra were used to investigate the crystal microstructure, morphology, band-gap and optical properties of the as-prepared PbBiO2Br nanosheets. The photocatalytic performance and stability of PbBiO2Br nanosheets were evaluated by removing methylene blue (MB) aqueous solution (20 mg/L) under visible-light irradiation. Results showed that the PbBiO2Br was brick-like nanosheets with an average side size of about 80 nm and the absorption edge at about 500 nm, and exhibited an excellent photocatalytic performance under visible light irradiation. Moreover, the repeated cycle experimental results demonstrated that the PbBiO2Br nanosheets had a good chemical stability. Finally, the possible photocatalytic mechanism was proposed and discussed.