Preparation and properties of ZnO loaded with uniform Ag nanoparticles

• Ag/ZnO composites with uniform Ag nanoparticles were prepared.
• Loading of Ag NPs increases the UV emission and change the peak position of ZnO.
• Uniform metal particles improve the photocatalysis capability of Ag/ZnO composites.

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were synthesized through reducing Ag(I) to Ag(0) with sodium citrate. Then a series of Ag/ZnO samples were prepared by loading prepared Ag NPs on ZnO. It is found that the UV emission of the composites has been enhanced. Compared with pure ZnO, the emission peak of Ag-NPs-modified composite has a clear blue shift. Moreover, the photocatalysis performance of the composition is increased significantly possibly due to the synergy effects between ZnO and Ag NPs, comparing with the composites prepared by one pot process.

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