Two-dimensional (2D) layered photocatalysts with highly ordered out-of-plane symmetry usually display robust excitonic effects, thus being ineffective in driving catalytic reactions that necessitate unchained charge carriers. Herein, taking 2D BiOBr as a prototype model, we implement a superficial asymmetric [Br-Bi-O-Bi] stacking in the out-of-plane direction by selectively stripping off the top-layer Br of BiOBr. This local asymmetry disrupts the diagnostic confinement configuration of BiOBr to urge energetic exciton dissociation into charge c...
