Fabrication of AgX-loaded Ag2CO3 (X = Cl, I) composites and their efficient visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity

• The novel AgX/Ag2CO3 composites have been synthesized by ion exchange reaction.
• AgX/Ag2CO3 exhibit higher photoactivity and stability than that of Ag2CO3.
• The band structure of AgX/Ag2CO3 is beneficial to improve the photoactivity.

The novel visible-light-driven AgX/Ag2CO3 (X = Cl, I) hybrid materials were synthesized by ion exchange reaction. The physical and chemical properties of the catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), diffuse-reflection spectra (DRS) and photocurrent techniques. The as-prepared AgX/Ag2CO3 (X = Cl, I) composites showed higher photocatalytic activity than that of the pure Ag2CO3 photocatalyst under visible light irradiation (λ ⩾ 400 nm) in the process of methylene blue (MB) degradation. The optimal mass percentage of AgCl and AgI in the AgX/Ag2CO3 (X = Cl, I) composite was 20.54 wt% and 40 wt%, respectively. The enhancement of photocatalytic activity was attributed to the suitable band potential between AgX and Ag2CO3, which was beneficial to increase the separation efficiency of electrons and holes. Besides, the photocatalytic mechanism of AgX/Ag2CO3 (X = Cl, I) composites was also proposed.