Synthesis and photocatalytic activity of Ag-CdWO4 nanorods

A series of Ag-CdWO4 nanorods were synthesized by a photo assisted coprecipitation method with the addition of PEG-1000. The phase, microstructure and photocatalytic activity of the Ag-CdWO4 nanorods were characterized. The XRD results suggest the monoclinic wolframite structure of the Ag-CdWO4 nanorods. The XPS results confirm the existence of Ag, Cd, W and O, proving that the photocatalyst consists of Ag and CdWO4. Photocatalytic activity was evaluated by the degradation experiment of RhB under simulated solar light irradiation. The results reveal that the Ag-CdWO4 nanorods show higher photocatalytic performance than that of CdWO4 nanorods. Dispersion of Ag nanoparticles on the surface of CdWO4 nanorods causes the surface plasmon resonance and enhances the broad absorption in the entire visible region of the solar spectrum. Hence, dispersion of Ag nanoparticles on CdWO4 nanorods can be a better alternative method to enhance the absorption of visible light for effective photocatalysts.