Ag/g-C3N4 photocatalysts: Microwave-assisted synthesis and enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity

• A rapid and green microwave-assisted synthesis of Ag/g-C3N4 photocatalysts in polyol system
• Monodisperse Ag nanoparticles with diameters of a few nanometers are closely attached on the edges of g-C3N4 nanosheets.
• Ag nanoparticles enhanced visible-light absorption and suppressed the recombination of photogenerated electron/hole pairs.
• Superior visible-light responsive photocatalytic activity of Ag/g-C3N4 photocatalysts for the degradation of rhodamine B

Ag/g-C3N4 photocatalysts were synthesized by a rapid microwave-assisted polyol process. The characterization results showed monodisperse Ag nanoparticles with diameters of a few nanometers closely attached to the edges of g-C3N4. The presence of Ag nanoparticles in Ag/g-C3N4 photocatalysts enhanced the visible-light absorption and suppressed the recombination of photogenerated electron/hole pairs. The Ag/g-C3N4 photocatalysts exhibited the superior visible-light responsive photocatalytic activity for rhodamine B degradation. The mechanism of visible-light induced photocatalysis over Ag/g-C3N4 photocatalysts was also discussed.

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