title: Modulation of Photocatalytic Properties by Strain in 2D BiOBr Nanosheets.
abstract: BiOBr nanosheets with highly reactive {001} facets exposed were selectively synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method. The inner strain in the BiOBr nanosheets has been tuned continuously by the pH value. The photocatalytic performance of BiOBr in dye degradation can be manipulated by the strain effect. The low-strain BiOBr nanosheets show improved photocatalytic activity. Density functional calculations suggest that strain can modify the band structure and symmetry in BiOBr. The enhanced photocatalytic activity in low-strain BiOBr nanosheets is due to improved charge separation attributable to a highly dispersive band structure with an indirect band gap.
authors.forename: Haifeng
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Zhongfei
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Youxing
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: Dandan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.forename: Xun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Metallurgy and Ceramics Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology , Tokyo 152-8552, Japan.
authors.forename: Ji
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: Department of Metallurgy and Ceramics Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology , Tokyo 152-8552, Japan.
authors.forename: Takumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sannomiya
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Weichang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hao
authors.forename: Shi Xue
authors.initials: SX
authors.lastname: Dou
keywords: BiOBr; DFT; bismuth oxyhalide; nanosheets; photocatalysis; strain; two-dimensional; {001} facets