Rapid photocatalytic activity and honeycomb Ag/ZnO heterostructures via solution combustion synthesis

• Honeycomb Ag/ZnO heterostructures were prepared.
• It shows rapid photocatalytic activity and excellent chemical stability.
• BET surface area of the prepared Ag/ZnO heterostructures is 46.7 m2/g.
• The surface state was investigated by XPS.
• Excellent photocatalytic activity depends on porous structure and heterostructures.

Honeycomb Ag/ZnO heterostructures exhibiting rapid photocatalytic activity were successfully prepared via simple solution combustion synthesis (SCS). Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area of the prepared Ag/ZnO heterostructures are 46.7 m2/g, and the pore size distribution curves indicate its excellent mesoporous nature. In addition, Raman spectrum and the X-ray photoelectron analysis results show the formation of Ag/ZnO heterostructures. Moreover, Ag/ZnO heterostructures with 5 atom%Ag show the highest photocatalytic activity and the excellent chemical stability decomposing RhB under multiple cycles. It is proposed that the special structural feature with an open and porous nanostructured surface layer and the resultant Ag/ZnO heterostructures lead to the rapid photocatalytic activity of the prepared photocatalysts.

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