Ag2O nanoparticle-decorated TiO2 nanobelts for improved photocatalytic performance

TiO2 nanobelts with uniform morphology were prepared via a hydrothermal method, and subsequent sulfuric acid treatment procedure was needed for the coarse surface. A nanocomposite of highly dispersed Ag2O nanoparticles on TiO2 nanobelts was designed with a wet-chemical deposition precipitation method. As-prepared samples were systematically characterized by field emission scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence spectra. The photocatalytic performance was investigated under UV light toward degradation of methyl orange (MO) dye aqueous solution. Compared with the pure TiO2 nanobelts, the Ag2O/TiO2 nanobelts represented a quick degradation rate for MO dye, and the best photocatalytic activity was obtained when the molar ratio value of Ag2O and TiO2 was 0.17. The enhanced photocatalytic activity could give the credit to the formation of heterostructure between Ag2O nanoparticles and TiO2 nanobelts, in which the Ag2O nanoparticles acted as electron capture agent to promote the separation of photoinduced electrons and holes.