Synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic performance of novel visible-light-induced Ag/BiOI

For the first time, a series of Ag/BiOI photocatalysts with different Ag contents have been synthesized by a hydrothermal combinated with photodeposition method. The as-prepared products were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron micrographs (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS), and photoluminescence (PL) emission spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activities of these Ag/BiOI composites under visible-light irradiation (λ > 420 nm) were evaluated by the degradation of acid orange II, methyl orange (MO) and rhodamine B (RB). The results revealed that the Ag/BiOI composites exhibited much higher photocatalytic activities than pure BiOI. The Ag amount in the Ag/BiOI composites played an important role in the corresponding photocatalytic properties and the optimized ratio was obtained at 0.6%. The significant enhancement in the Ag/BiOI photoactivity could be ascribed to both the effect of Ag deposits by acting as electron traps and the surface plasma resonance effect of Ag.

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► Ag/BiOI catalyst with flower-like morphology can be obtained.
► Such material exhibits strong spectral response in the visible region.
► The photocatalytic activity of BiOI was greatly enhanced by the deposition of Ag.
► Ag nanoparticles could act as electron traps to promote the electron–hole separation.