Bi24Br10+xAg x O31 nanostructure, a new reusable photocatalyst for efficient removal of Acid Blue 92 from model wastewaters under visible light

Bi24Br10+xAg x O31 nanosheets were prepared by a facile single-step co-precipitation method in the presence of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ionic liquid as the bromide source and template agent. The products were well characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms using Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The X-ray powder diffraction pattern confirmed the presence of both Bi24O31Br10 and AgBr crystalline phases in the structure. In addition, the scanning electron microscopy micrographs and transmission electron microscopy image indicated that the sample had sheet-like morphology and the thickness of the sheets was below 100 nm. According to the photocatalytic experiments, the product was exceptionally efficient for the degradation of Acid Blue 92 solutions under visible light. Also, the results of recycling experiments indicated the high capacity of the prepared nanosheets to effect repeated treatment of the wastewater solution, which is of great importance in being introduced as a catalyst in practical applications.