Template assisted synthesis of Ag/AgBr/AgCl hollow microspheres with heterojunction structure as highly activity and stability photocatalyst

Ag/AgBr/AgCl hollow microspheres were synthesised through template assisted synthesis method followed by calcination and light reduction method. Field emission scanning electron microscopy, UV-Vis absorption spectra and X-ray diffraction were utilized to characterize the morphology, optical absorption property and phase structure of the as-prepared photocatalyst, respectively. By degradation of Rhodamine B under visible light, the Ag/AgBr/AgCl hollow microspheres exhibited a significant enhancement in photocatalytic activity compared with Ag/AgCl and Ag/AgBr. Furthermore, the heterojunction formed between AgCl and AgBr, the remarkable visible light absorption attributed to Ag nanoparticles on the surface of AgBr are considered as the main reasons of the enhancement.