Novel visible-light-responsive Ag/AgCl@MIL-101 hybrid materials with synergistic photocatalytic activity

In this paper, a novel visible-light responsive photocatalyst of Ag/AgCl@MIL-101 was synthesized via vapor diffusion-photoreduction strategy. The as-prepared composite material was characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflection spectra and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Due to the synergistic effect between Ag/AgCl and MIL-101, the composite photocatalyst exhibited an enhanced and stable photoactivity for the degradation of Rhodamine B under visible light irradiation. The relationship between the photocatalytic activity and the structure of Ag/AgCl@MIL-101 hybrid material was discussed and the possible reaction mechanism was proposed.

Graphical abstractA facial vapor diffusion-photoreduction process was developed for the production of Ag/AgCl@MIL-101 hetero-junction photocatalyst via integrating plasmonic Ag/AgCl with MIL-101. The results of photocatalytic experiments indicate that 40 wt.% Ag/AgCl@MIL-101 exhibit enhanced photocatalytic activities for the degradation of RhB under visible light irradiation.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (123 K)Download as PowerPoint slide