The photocatalytic performance of silver halides – Silver carbonate heterostructures

Abstract

The synthesized rod-like Ag2CO3 particles (2–4 × 0.3–0.6 μm, length × diameter) served as a precursor for preparation of the AgX/Ag2CO3 (X = Cl, I) composites by ion exchange method. The various microstructural (X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms) and optical (diffuse reflection spectroscopy) techniques were used for thorough characterization of obtained heterostructures. The enhanced photocatalytic performance of AgX/Ag2CO3 heterostructures in comparison to Ag2CO3 nanorods (NRs) was evidenced using degradation of organic dye methylene blue as a test reaction. Also, the formation of composites improved their stability under long run illumination conditions. The effect of AgX content on photocatalytic activity of the composites were also investigated. The possible photocatalytic mechanism that facilitates efficient separation of photo-formed charge carriers in heterostructures was discussed in terms of the relative energetic of valence and conduction bands.