W18O49 nanorods decorated with Ag/AgCl nanoparticles as highly-sensitive gas-sensing material and visible-light-driven photocatalyst

A novel gas-sensing material and photocatalyst was successfully obtained by decorating Ag/AgCl nanoparticles on the W18O49 nanorods through a clean photochemical route. The as-prepared samples were characterized using combined techniques of X-ray diffractometry, electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Gas-sensing measurements indicate that the Ag/AgCl/W18O49 NRs sensors exhibit superior reducing gas-sensing properties to those of bare W18O49 NRs, and they are highly selective and sensitive to NH3, acetone, and H2S with short response and recovery times. The Ag/AgCl/W18O49 NRs photocatlysts also possess higher photocatalytic performance than bare W18O49 NRs for degradation of methyl orange under simulated sunlight irradiation. Possible mechanisms concerning the enhancement of gas-sensing and photocatalytic activities of the Ag/AgCl/W18O49 NRs composite were proposed.

Graphical AbstractThe Ag/AgCl nanoparticles adhered well to the W18O49 nanorod. The Ag could act as transfer center of the photoexcited carriers, prohibiting their recombinations in both W18O49 and AgCl.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Ag/AgCl/W18O49 NRs were successfully obtained via a clean photochemical route.
► The Ag/AgCl nanoparticles decorated on the W18O49 NRs possessed cladding structure.
► The Ag/AgCl/W18O49 NRs exhibited excellent gas-sensing and photocatalytic properties.