Synthesis of 1D Bi12O17ClxBr2−x nanotube solid solutions with rich oxygen vacancies for highly efficient removal of organic pollutants under visible light

[Display omitted] •A novel 1D Bi12O17ClxBr2−x nanotube solid solutions is successfully synthesized.•Bi12O17ClxBr2−x solid solution has rich vacancies for efficient charge separation.•Bi12O17ClxBr2−x solid solution has high photocatalytic and mineralization ability.•Degradation pathway, electron transfer pathway and reaction mechanism are discussed. With a view to balancing light absorption and redox capabilities, narrowing band gap and adjusting bandgap structure, a novel tubular Bi12O17ClxBr2−x (BCxB2−x) solid solution structure was fabricated using a facile polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 assisted solvothermal strategy. Photocatalytic degradation experiments were conducted under visible light, utilizing tetrachlorobiphenyl A (TCBPA) as the target pollutant. Within 120 min of irradiation, the Bi12O17ClBr (BCB) solid solution nanotubes exhibited approximately 92.8 % TCBPA degradation efficiency. Moreover, the active radical trapping experiments and electron spin resonance measurements show that superoxide and hydroxyl radicals play important roles. Importantly, BCB solid solution photocatalysts have a stable crystal structure and good recycling ability after five cycles of photodegradation. The work presents a feasible synthesis method for the design of solid solution materials and introduction of oxygen vacancies to improve visible-light photocatalytic ability for the treatment of environmentally refractory organic pollutants.