Highly stable and efficient Ag/AgCl core–shell sphere: Controllable synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic application

A new composite photocatalyst Ag/AgCl core–shell sphere was synthesized at room temperature by using a simple and generic approach. SEM images revealed that the as-prepared catalyst showed a uniform morphology with an average size of about 2 μm. The photocatalytic activity was significantly dependent on the molar ratio of Ag0:Ag+ on the surface of the catalyst, the optimum ratio being 0.035. Recycling experiments confirmed the excellent stability of the catalysts, without any silver leaching from the surface of the catalyst, suggesting that the photocatalyst Ag/AgCl core–shell sphere was a form of active and stable visible-light driven plasmonic material.

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► Highly active Ag/AgCl core–shell sphere with uniform morphology.
► Molar ratio of Fe:Ag in solution at room temperature controls the structure.
► The formation process of the sphere was proposed.
► Fe: Ag-1:1 shows the best activity in the photo-degradation of RhB.
► Outstanding stability and reusability was found.