High performance visible light driven photocatalysts silver halides and graphitic carbon nitride (X = Cl, Br, I) nanocomposites

Novel visible light-driven phtotocatalysts composed by silver halides and graphitic carbon nitride (i.e. AgX@g-C3N4, X = Cl, Br, I) were synthesized by in situ precipitation of AgX nanoparticles on the surface of sheet-like g-C3N4. The resultant AgX@g-C3N4 nanocomposites were characterized with state-of-the-art instruments, showing significant enhancement in photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange under the irradiation of visible light. Their excellent photocatalytic performance is attributed to the efficient separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs and their higher photostability in comparison with pure AgX.

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► Novel AgX@g-C3N4 (X = Cl, Br and I) photocatalysts were prepared by in situ deposition.
► Excellent photo-activity and stability in degradation of organic dye.
► Efficient separation of photogenerated electrons and holes in nanocomposites.
► Synergetic effects of AgX and g-C3N4.