Catalysis Today, Vol.314, 10-19, 2018
Novel Ag@AgCl@AgBr heterostructured nanotubes as high-performance visible-light photocatalysts for decomposition of dyes
Recently, AgX (X = Cl, Br, I) materials have been demonstrated as novel and efficient visible-light photocatalysts for the decomposition of various organic compounds and dyes. Herein, heterostructured Ag@ AgCl@ AgBr nanotubes were prepared by an anion-exchange reaction between Ag@ AgCl nanotubes and Br- anions, and their photocatalytic activities towards the decomposition of organic pollutants were studied. The as-synthesized photocatalysts were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (HR-TEM/EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The structure characterization studies confirmed that the photocatalysts had nanotubular morphology. Compared to polyhedral Ag@ AgBr nanoparticles, the incorporation of Br-ions into the Ag@ AgCl framework remarkably enhanced the photocatalytic activities. The as-prepared Ag@ AgCl@ AgBr nanotubes can also be reused due to their high stability. Under visible light irradiation,>98.5% of Rhodamine B (RhB) and 90.3% of Red Acid I (RAI) were decomposed within 45 min using the catalyst AB-2 (Cl-/Br- = 1: 1). The catalyst AB-2 displayed higher photocatalytic activity due to its enhanced surface area and photoelectron transfer, attributed to its novel heterostructured configuration.
Keywords:Ag@AgCl@AgBr composite;Heterostructured nanotubes;Photocatalytic;Dye photodegradation;Visible light