Ag/AgX/BiOX (X = Cl, Br) three-component visible-light-driven (VLD) photocatalysts were synthesized by a low-temperature chemical bath method and characterized by X-ray diffraction patterns, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and UV鈥搗is diffuse reflectance spectra. The Ag/AgX/BiOX composites showed enhanced VLD photocatalytic activity for the degradation of rhodamine B, which was much higher than Ag/AgX and BiOX. The photocatalytic mechanisms were analyzed by active species trapping and superoxide radical quantification experiments. It revealed that metallic Ag played a different role for Ag/AgX/BiOX VLD photocatalysts, surface plasmon resonance for Ag/AgCl/BiOCl, and the Z-scheme bridge for Ag/AgBr/BiOBr.
Keywords:
Ag; AgX; BiOX; SPR; Z-scheme