Facile synthesis of Ag/ZnO heterostructure nanocrystals with enhanced photocatalytic performance

Ag/ZnO heterostructure nanocrystals were successfully synthesized by a novel method using glucose as a reducing agent. The Ag/ZnO heterostructure nanocrystals were composed of ZnO nanorods and metallic Ag nanoparticles (10–30 nm). The formation mechanism of Ag/ZnO heterostructure nanocrystals was clearly discussed. The photocatalytic performance of Ag/ZnO heterostructure nanocrystals was evaluated by analyzing the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under UV illumination. The Ag/ZnO heterostructure nanocrystals showed an enhanced photocatalytic performance, and the optimized Ag content was investigated. Besides, no obvious loss of photocatalytic activity was observed after five cycles, indicating the excellent photostability of Ag/ZnO heterostructure nanocrystals. This synthesis method has great potential for the industrial production of Ag/ZnO heterostructure nanocrystals as photocatalysts.

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► Facile synthesis of Ag/ZnO heterostructure nanocrystals.
► A two-stage process mechanism is proposed for the formation of Ag/ZnO heterostructures.
► The Ag/ZnO heterostructure nanocrystals exhibit high photocatalytic activity.
► The optimal Ag content is approximately 1.5 wt%.