One-pot synthesis of AgBr/Ag2CO3 heterojunctions with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity

• AgBr/Ag2CO3 heterojunction photocatalysts were prepared by a one-pot method.
• The as-prepared composite photocatalysts show enhanced activity for dye degradation.
• Effect of AgBr amount on the photocatalytic activity was investigated.

AgBr/Ag2CO3 heterojunctions were synthesized via a simple one-pot co-precipitation process. Namely, the growth of Ag2CO3 and AgBr crystals occurred simultaneously in one single process. The obtained samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The photocatalytic activity of as-prepared samples was investigated by degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation. An enhancement in photocatalytic activity was observed in AgBr/Ag2CO3 composites compared with pure AgBr and Ag2CO3. We also investigated the effect of the ratio of AgBr/Ag2CO3 on the photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared heterojunctions. With the optimal theoretical Br−/CO32- molar ratio of 1:2, the sample exhibits the highest photocatalytic activity.

AgBr/Ag2CO3 heterojunction photocatalysts were synthesized by a simple one-step co-precipitation method. The obtained material showed enhanced activity for dye degradation under visible light irradiation.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide