Synergistic photocatalysis of oxygen-enriched vacancy BiOBr based on rice husk biochar: Efficient seawater purification achieved by carrier directional migration

Addressing seawater pollution is crucial for the efficient utilization of seawater resources. Employing solar-driven seawater purification emerges as an ideal solution for the future renewable energy landscape. Herein, biomass carbon and oxygen-enriched defect materials were selected to design a high-performance photocatalyst for seawater purification. The strategic combination of defect energy levels and electron-conducting carbon enhances the directional migration and separation of photogenerated particles, thereby boosting the overall photocatalytic efficiency in seawater purification. In the simulated seawater experiment, ROV-BOB/RHC-3 exhibits significant resistant to conventional ions interference during purification. Transitioning to real seawater experiments, ROV-BOB/RHC-3 exhibits impressive removal performance for RhB and TC, achieving substantial purification in 10L of seawater under natural sunlight. Combine free radical trapping experiments and electron spin resonance (ESR) analysis shows that reactive oxygen species (•O2- and 1O2) are responsible in purification. The project provides a practical and effective basis for further research on efficient biomass carbon-based photocatalysts to seawater purification.