Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance of TiO2 Hierarchical Spheres Decorated with Ag2S Nanoparticles

TiO2 hierarchical spheres synthesized via solvothermal method were decorated with Ag2S nanoparticles as co-catalyst at room temperature. The Ag2S nanoparticles improved the charge separation efficiency, thereby reducing recombination and enhancing the photocatalytic performance. The optimized Ag2S loading on TiO2 could produce hydrogen (H2) gas at an evolution rate of 707.6 μmol h-1 g-1 and degrade methyl orange with a rate constant of 0.018 min-1. The composite material presents properties which are highly promising for environmental clean up and clean energy generation applications.