Preparation of porous g‐C3N4/Ag/Cu2O: a new composite with enhanced visible‐light photocatalytic activity

From previous reports, graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C₃N₄) can be used as a photocatalyst, although the low efficiency of solar energy utilization, small specific surface area and high recombination rate of photogenerated electron–hole pairs limit its practical application. For the purpose of increasing photocatalytic activity, especially under irradiation of visible light, we successfully synthesized a new composite, namely porous g‐C₃N₄/Ag/Cu₂O, through chemical adsorption of Ag‐doped Cu₂O on porous g‐C₃N₄, which has not been investigated carefully worldwide. The composition, morphology and optical properties of the composite were investigated through methods including X‐ray diffraction, energy‐dispersive X‐ray, Fourier transform infrared, UV–visible and photoluminescence spectroscopies and transmission electron microscopy. Using rhodamine B as organic pollutant to be degraded under the irradiation of visible light, different mass ratios of Ag/Cu₂O doped on porous g‐C₃N₄ led to enhanced photocatalytic performance of the composite compared to pure porous g‐C₃N₄. When the mass ratio of Ag/Cu₂O is 15%, porous g‐C₃N₄/Ag/Cu₂O exhibits a degradation rate 2.015 times higher than that of pure porous g‐C₃N₄. The reasons for this phenomenon may be attributed to the increased utilization efficiency of visible light, high‐speed separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs, accelerated interfacial transfer process of electrons and increased surface area of the composite. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Method for Visible Light‐Induced Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylparaben in Water Using Nanostructured Ag/AgBr@m‐WO3

An efficient method of photocatalytic degradation of methylparaben in water using Ag nanoparticles (NPs) loaded AgBr‐mesoporous‐WO₃ composite photocatalyst (Ag/AgBr@m‐WO₃), under visible light is presented. In this process, quantification of methylparaben in water was carried out by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the HPLC results showed a significant reduction of methylparaben in water due to the enhanced of photocatalytic degradation efficiency of Ag/AgBr@m‐WO₃. For the material synthesis, highly ordered mesoporous‐WO₃ (m‐WO₃) was initially synthesized by sol–gel method and AgBr nanoparticles (NPs) were subsequently introduced in the pores of m‐WO₃, and finally, the Ag nanoparticles were introduced by light irradiation. The enhanced photocatalytic degradation of methylparaben in water is attributed to the formation of surface plasmonic resonance (SPR) due to the introduction of Ag NPs on the surface of the catalyst. Also, the formation of heterojunction between AgBr and mesoporous‐WO₃ in Ag/AgBr@m‐WO₃ significantly inhibited the recombination of light‐induced electron‐hole pairs in the semiconductor composite. The morphological and optical characterizations of the synthesized photocatalysts (Ag/AgBr@m‐WO₃) were carried out using SEM, TEM, XDR, N₂ adsorption–desorption, UV‐VIS diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). Also, the photocatalytic studies using radical scavengers were carried out and the results indicated that ${\text{O}}_2^{·-}$ is the main reactive species.     

Facile Synthesis of Ag/Ag3PO4 Composites with Highly Efficient and Stable Photocatalytic Performance under Visible Light

The Ag/Ag₃PO₄ composites with various shapes (spheres, polyhedral, and microcubes) were synthesized by a facile precipitation method and a subsequent light‐reduction route at room temperature. The as‐prepared Ag/Ag₃PO₄ composites were characterized in detail by X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectra, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, UV–vis diffuse reflection, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The growth processes of different morphologies Ag/Ag₃PO₄ composites are also discussed. The decomposition test of rhodamine B (RhB) indicated that the Ag/Ag₃PO₄ composites enhanced the photocatalytic performance compared with pure Ag₃PO₄, which was attributed to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of Ag nanoparticles and the stability of the photocatalysts. Moreover, uniform cubes of Ag/Ag₃PO₄ showed the highest photocatalytic activity and could completely degrade RhB in 7 min, which could be primarily ascribed to the cubic structure of Ag/Ag₃PO₄ with strong visible‐light absorption and efficient separation of the photo‐generated electrons and holes. Furthermore, the possible photocatalytic mechanism is also discussed.     

Ag/Ag3PO4/g-C3N4三元复合光催化剂的制备及其可见光驱动下的光催化活性增强

报道了一种新型Ag/Ag₃PO₄/g-C₃N₄三元复合光催化剂的制备及其半导体界面处的快速载流子分离所引起的光催化活性的显著增强效应。通过X射线衍射,扫描电子显微镜,紫外-可见吸收光谱以及光致发光光谱等就其晶体结构、形貌、组分、光学吸收以及载流子的快速分离行为进行了表征与分析。以罗丹明B作为模型化合物分子,研究发现,所制备的Ag/Ag₃PO₄/g-C₃N₄三元复合光催化剂在可见光照射下表现出比Ag₃PO₄以及Ag₃PO₄/g-C₃N₄二元催化剂更为优异的光催化活性。研究认为,Ag₃PO₄表面尺寸约为40 nm的Ag纳米粒子在可见光下受激所产生的等离子表面共振效应以及Ag₃PO₄与g-C₃N₄界面处所形成的类似异质结结构对所制备的Ag/Ag₃PO₄/g-C₃N₄三元复合光催化剂光催化活性的显著增强起到重要作用。     

Visible‐Light Photocatalytic Activity and Deactivation Mechanism of Ag3PO4 Spherical Particles

Ag₃PO₄ spherical particles were synthesized by a facile precipitation method using silver nitrate and Na₂HPO₄ as precursors. The as‐prepared samples had a high photocatalytic activity toward Rhodamine B (RhB) degradation under visible‐light illumination. With increasing recycling times the photocatalytic activity first increased and then decreased. Based on systematic characterization of particles by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), a possible mechanism responsible for the improvement and subsequent decline of the photocatalytic performance of Ag₃PO₄ is proposed. Ag₃PO₄ spherical particles recycled for four times showed the highest photocatalytic activity because, according to our mechanism, Ag nanoparticles deposited on Ag₃PO₄ acted as electron trapping centers to prevent photogenerated electron‐hole pairs from recombination. A further increase in the recycle times decreases the photocatalytic activity owing to the shielding effect by Ag layers on the surface of Ag₃PO₄. The results presented herein shed new light on the photostability of Ag₃PO₄ spherical particles and are potentially applicable to other photocatalytically active composites.     

Facile fabrication of g‐C3N4/MIL‐53(Al) composite with enhanced photocatalytic activities under visible‐light irradiation

A novel visible‐light‐driven g‐C₃N₄/MIL‐53(Al) composite photocatalyst was successfully prepared using a facile stirring method at room temperature. The g‐C₃N₄/MIL‐53(Al) composites were characterized and their effects on the photocatalytic activities for rhodamine B degradation were investigated. The g‐C₃N₄(20 wt%)/MIL‐53(Al) photocatalyst displayed optimal photocatalytic degradation efficiency, which was about five times higher than the photocatalytic activity of pure g‐C₃N₄. The improved photocatalytic performance of the g‐C₃N₄/MIL‐53(Al) photocatalyst was predominantly attributed to the efficient separation of electron–hole pairs and the low charge‐transfer resistance. g‐C₃N₄/MIL‐53(Al) also exhibited excellent stability and reusability. A proposed mechanism for the enhanced photocatalytic activity is also discussed based on the experimental results. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Improved Photocatalytic Activity and Stability of Nano‐sized Ag/Ag2CO3 Plasmonic Photocatalyst by Surface Modification of Fe(III) Nanocluster

The surface modification of Ag/Ag₂CO₃ with Fe(III) ions has been achieved through simply photoreduction‐impregnation method. The obtained products were characterized by means of X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV‐vis absorption spectroscopy. Under visible‐light irradiation (γ>420 nm), the Fe(III)/Ag/Ag₂CO₃ sample displays a higher photocatalytic activity and stability than pure Ag₂CO₃ and Ag/Ag₂CO₃ samples for the degradation of methyl orange (MO). The improved photocatalytic activity and stability of this ternary system could be ascribed to the synergetic effect between Ag nanoparticles and Fe(III) nanocluster. The metallic Ag nanoparticles cause an obviously enhanced visible‐light absorption to produce more photogenerated charges, while the Fe(III) works as an active site for the following oxygen reduction to reduce the recombination rate of photogenerated electrons and holes.     

Preparation of high‐activity AgBr/Ag3PO4 photocatalyst based on hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide and mechanism of photocatalytic enhancement

A high‐activity AgBr/Ag₃PO₄ heterojunction photocatalyst was synthesized based on hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide. Its microspheres were characterized using X‐ray diffractometry, transmission electron microscopy and ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The new photocatalyst with high photocatalytic activity exceptionally outperforms pure Ag₃PO₄ and AgBr in methyl orange degradation. The enhancement of photocatalytic activity is attributed to the efficient separation of electron–hole pairs. In this photocatalytic reaction, h⁺ and ^?O^2? are the main reactive species that induce visible‐light‐driven degradation.     

Tetracycline Removal Under Solar Illumination Over Ag3VO4/mpg‐C3N4 Heterojunction Photocatalysts

Ag₃VO₄/mpg‐C₃N₄ (mesoporous graphitic carbon nitride) heterojunction photocatalysts were prepared by anchoring tiny Ag₃VO₄ particles on the nanosheet of mpg‐C₃N₄. The prepared Ag₃VO₄/mpg‐C₃N₄ heterojunctions were used to remove tetracycline (TC), a kind of antibiotics widely released into the aquatic environment under solar irradiation. Compared with pure mpg‐C₃N₄ and Ag₃VO₄, Ag₃VO₄/mpg‐C₃N₄ displayed much higher photocatalytic activity (83.2% removal rate within 90 min under visible‐light irradiation). Importantly, no apparent deactivation was observed for Ag₃VO₄/mpg‐C₃N₄‐40 after five cycles, inferring a good reusability. As confirmed by photocurrent measurement and photoluminescence spectra, the excellent photocatalytic property of Ag₃VO₄/mpg‐C₃N₄ was credit to the electron–hole separation enhancement at the formed heterojunction of two semiconductors. In addition, a possible mechanism and intermediate products for the Ag₃VO₄/mpg‐C₃N₄ photocatalysts toward the photodegradation of TC in aqueous solution under artificial sunlight radiation were proposed based on the scavengers trapping test, ESR spectra and a high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with mass spectrometer (MS) analysis. This investigation provides a low cost, green and easily practical approach to remove the antibiotics in the aquatic environment.     

Microwave‐Hydrothermal Preparation and Visible‐Light Photoactivity of Plasmonic Photocatalyst Ag‐TiO2 Nanocomposite Hollow Spheres

Visible‐light‐driven plasmonic photocatalyst Ag‐TiO₂ nanocomposite hollow spheres are prepared by a template‐free chemically‐induced self‐transformation strategy under microwave‐hydrothermal conditions, followed by a photochemical reduction process under xenon lamp irradiation. The prepared samples are characterized by using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, N₂ adsorption‐desorption isotherms, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV/Vis and Raman spectroscopy. Production of ?OH radicals on the surface of visible‐light illuminated TiO₂ was detected by using a photoluminescence method with terephthalic acid as the probe molecule. The photocatalytic activity of as‐prepared samples was evaluated by photocatalytic decolorization of Rhodamine B (RhB) aqueous solution at ambient temperature under visible‐light irradiation. The results show that the surface plasmon absorption band of the silver nanoparticles supported on the TiO₂ hollow spheres was red shifted, and a strong surface enhanced Raman scattering effect for the Ag‐TiO₂ nanocomposite sample was observed. The prepared nanocomposite hollow spheres exhibits a highly visible‐light photocatalytic activity for photocatalytic degradation of RhB in water, and their photocatalytic activity is higher than that of pure TiO₂ and commercial Degussa P25 (P25) powders. Especially, the as‐prepared Ag‐TiO₂ nanocomposite hollow spheres at the nominal atomic ratio of silver to titanium ( R ) of 2 showed the highest photocatalytic activity, which exceeds that of P25 by a factor of more than 2.     

Micelle‐Directing Synthesis of Ag‐Doped WO3 and MoO3 Composites for Photocatalytic Water Oxidation and Organic‐Dye Adsorption

In this paper, an Ag‐doped WO₃ (and MoO₃) composite has been prepared by following a simple micelle‐directed method and high‐temperature sintering route. The as‐prepared samples were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, inductively coupled plasma, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, photoluminescence spectroscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. The photocatalytic experiments reveal that their oxygen‐production rates are up to 95.43 μmol (75.45 μmol) for Ag‐doped WO₃ (MoO₃), which is 9.5 (7.3) times higher than that of pure WO₃: 9.012 μmol (MoO₃: 9.00 μmol) under visible‐light illumination (λ ≥420 nm), respectively. The improvement of their photocatalytic activity is attributed to the enhancement of their visible‐light absorption and the separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers by Ag doping. Moreover, Ag‐doped WO₃ (MoO₃) also shows excellent adsorption of rhodamine B (RhB) and methylene blue (MB) in aqueous solution, with maximum adsorption capacities towards RhB and MB of 822 and 820 mg g⁻¹ for Ag‐doped WO₃, and 642 and 805 mg g⁻¹ for Ag‐doped MoO₃, respectively.     

Visible-light-driven heterostructure Ag/Bi2WO6 nanocomposites synthesized by photodeposition method and used for photodegradation of rhodamine B dye

Visible-light-driven heterostructure Ag/Bi₂WO₆ nanocomposites were prepared by transforming Ag⁺ ions into metallic Ag⁰ nanoparticles loaded on top of Bi₂WO₆ nanoplates under visible light irradiation for 1 h. XRD, XPS, SEM and TEM analyses indicated that spherical metallic Ag nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed on top of orthorhombic Bi₂WO₆ thin nanoplates. Rhodamine B (RhB) was used as a dye model for investigation of photocatalytic performance of Bi₂WO₆ nanoplates with different weight contents of Ag nanoparticles illuminated by visible radiation. In this research, 10% Ag/Bi₂WO₆ nanocomposites have the highest photocatalytic activity in the degradation of RhB at 94.21% within 210 min because of the rapid diffusion of electronic charge through the Schottky barrier between metallic Ag nanoparticles and Bi₂WO₆ thin nanoplates, good electrical conductivity of metallic Ag nanoparticles, inhibited recombination of charge carriers and enhanced photocatalytic activity of Ag/Bi₂WO₆ nanocomposites. Main active species of the photocatalysis and stability of the photocatalyst were also evaluated.

     

SiO2@AgCl:Ag纳米复合材料:一种可见光催化降解罗丹明B的高效等离子体光催化剂

采用多元醇沉淀以及光化学还原法制备了SiO₂担载AgCl:Ag等离子体纳米粒子。通过表征发现SiO₂@AgCl:Ag粒子呈立方-四足角状。同时,由于表面Ag簇的等离子共振效应,该催化剂在可见光区有很强的光吸收,可用于在高效降解稳定的有机染料,例如,罗丹明B。合成的SiO₂@AgCl:Ag复合催化剂可在2 min内将罗丹明B分子完全降解。自由基捕获实验进一步探究发现O₂·^-和·OH是参与降解反应的主要氧化活性物种。以上SiO₂@AgCl:Ag的这些特性使其在水净化和环境治理方面有着潜在的应用。     

Ultrathin g‐C3N4 Nanosheets Coupled with AgIO3 as Highly Efficient Heterostructured Photocatalysts for Enhanced Visible‐Light Photocatalytic Activity

The photocatalytic activity of graphite‐like carbon nitride (g‐C₃N₄) could be enhanced by heterojunction strategies through increasing the charge‐separation efficiency. As a surface‐based process, the heterogeneous photocatalytic process would become more efficient if a larger contact region existed in the heterojunction interface. In this work, ultrathin g‐C₃N₄ nanosheets (g‐C₃N₄‐NS) with much larger specific surface areas are employed instead of bulk g‐C₃N₄ (g‐C₃N₄‐B) to prepare AgIO₃/g‐C₃N₄‐NS nanocomposite photocatalysts. By taking advantage of this feature, the as‐prepared composites exhibit remarkable performances for photocatalytic wastewater treatment under visible‐light irradiation. Notably, the optimum photocatalytic activity of AgIO₃/g‐C₃N₄‐NS composites is almost 80.59 and 55.09 times higher than that of pure g‐C₃N₄‐B towards the degradation of rhodamine B and methyl orange pollutants, respectively. Finally, the stability and possible photocatalytic mechanism of the AgIO₃/g‐C₃N₄‐NS system are also investigated.     

A Novel Ag3PO4/Ag/Ag2Mo2O7 Nanowire Photocatalyst: Ternary Nanocomposite for Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity

Ag₃PO₄/Ag/Ag₂Mo₂O₇ composite photocatalyst was successfully prepared via an in situ precipitation method. The as-prepared Ag₃PO₄/Ag/Ag₂Mo₂O₇ nanocomposite included Ag₃PO₄ nanoparticles (NPs) as well as Ag NPs assembling on the surface of Ag₂Mo₂O₇ nanowires. Under visible light irradiation (λ > 420 nm), the Ag₃PO₄/Ag/Ag₂Mo₂O₇ composite degraded rhodamine B (Rh B) efficiently and showed much higher photocatalytic efficiency than pure Ag₃PO₄, Ag₂Mo₂O₇, or Ag₃PO₄/Ag₂Mo₂O₇. It was elucidated that the excellent photocatalytic performance of Ag₃PO₄/Ag/Ag₂Mo₂O₇ for the degradation of Rh B under visible light could be ascribed to the high specific surface area, the extended absorption in the visible light region resulting from the Ag₃PO₄/Ag loading, and the efficient separation of photogenerated electrons and holes through the ternary heterostrucure composed of Ag₃PO₄, Ag and Ag₂Mo₂O₇.     

Visible-light-driven photocatalysis of heterostructure Ag/Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>WO<Subscript>6</Subscript> nanocomposites and their photocatalytic degradation of dye under visible light irradiation

Ag/Bi₂WO₆ nanocomposites were successfully synthesized by a combination of hydrothermal method and ultrasonic vibration. The phases, vibration modes, constituents and morphologies were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The visible-light-driven photocatalytic activitiy of 0–10 wt% Ag/Bi₂WO₆ samples was studied by determining the photodegradation of rhodamine B under xenon lamp. In this research, 10 wt% Ag/Bi₂WO₆ nanocomposites exhibit the highest efficiency and have the promising photocatalytic properties for waste water treatment.     

Ag3PO4/Ag2S/g-C3N4复合光催化剂的制备与性能

通过沉积法和离子交换法成功地制备了Ag_3PO_4/Ag_2S/g-C_3N_4复合型光催化剂。利用X射线多晶粉末衍射仪(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)、N_2吸附-脱附等温线、紫外-可见漫反射光谱、荧光光谱等手段对样品进行了表征。通过降解罗丹明B考察其可见光催化活性及稳定性,研究了硫化钠与磷酸银物质的量的比值(n_(Na_2S)/n_(Ag_3PO_4))、g-C_3N_4添加量对所制备复合光催化材料性能的影响,同时对光催化机理进行了探讨。结果表明,随着n_(Na2S)/n_(Ag3PO4)的增加,所得复合催化材料活性先增加后降低;当n_(Na2S)/n_(Ag_3PO_4)为1.5%、g-C_3N_4与Ag_3PO_4的质量比为3∶7时制备的催化剂ASC1.5的光催化活性最好,在可见光照射下,40 min内可将罗丹明B完全降解,且5次循环使用后仍保持较高的催化活性。和Ag_3PO_4相比,Ag_3PO_4/Ag_2S/g-C_3N_4复合型光催化材料的活性与稳定性都得到明显提高,这主要归因于复合催化剂比表面积和孔结构的增加,载流子分离效率的提高。光催化机理研究表明,空穴(h~+)、超氧阴离子自由基(·O~(2-))和羟基自由基(·OH)都是光催化过程中的主要活性物种。三者作用大小依次为:h~+·O~(2-)·OH。     

g-C3N4纳米管的制备及其光催化降解性能

以三聚氰胺和碳酸氢铵混合物为原料,采用简便热解法制备g-C_3N_4纳米管。热解过程中碳酸氢铵分解释放出大量的NH3,能够诱导纳米管的形成。利用X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、红外光谱(IR)、N_2吸附-脱附、紫外-可见漫反射光谱以及紫外可见光谱(UV)等分析测试方法对该光催化剂的微观形貌结构和催化性能进行了表征。以罗丹明光催化降解为模型反应研究了g-C_3N_4纳米管的光催化活性。g-C_3N_4纳米管的表面积明显增大,且能够有效地促进光生电子转移,在可见光下具有较强的光催化性能,降解率在60和120 min时分别能达到95%和99.4%,且循环重复利用5次后降解率不低于92%。     

g-C3N4纳米管的制备及其光催化降解性能

以三聚氰胺和碳酸氢铵混合物为原料,采用简便热解法制备g-C₃N₄纳米管。热解过程中碳酸氢铵分解释放出大量的NH₃,能够诱导纳米管的形成。利用X射线衍射（XRD）、扫描电子显微镜（SEM）、红外光谱（IR）、N₂吸附-脱附、紫外-可见漫反射光谱以及紫外可见光谱（UV）等分析测试方法对该光催化剂的微观形貌结构和催化性能进行了表征。以罗丹明光催化降解为模型反应研究了g-C₃N₄纳米管的光催化活性。g-C₃N₄纳米管的表面积明显增大,且能够有效地促进光生电子转移,在可见光下具有较强的光催化性能,降解率在60和120 min时分别能达到95%和99.4%,且循环重复利用5次后降解率不低于92%。     

Ag负载CdMoO4光催化剂的制备及其催化性能

采用硼氢化钠还原法制备了Ag负载Cd Mo O4光催化剂。运用X射线粉末衍射(XRD)、扫描电镜(SEM)和透射电镜(TEM)等测试手段对催化剂的组成和结构进行了表征;采用紫外-可见漫反射光谱(UV-Vis DRS)和X射线光电子能谱(XPS)等技术对催化剂的光响应和表面状态进行了分析,考察了不同Ag负载量对Cd Mo O4紫外光降解罗丹明B和可见光选择性氧化苯甲醇性能的影响。结果表明,与Cd Mo O4相比,Ag/Cd Mo O4具有更高的光催化活性。利用活性物种捕获实验探讨其光催化降解过程的反应机理,实验结果显示O2-·和·OH是光催化降解过程的主要活性物种。