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−vis 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.

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A novel photodegradable polyethyleneoxidized polyethylene wax-TiO 2 (PE-OPW-TiO 2 ) nanocomposite film was prepared by embedding the organically modified TiO 2 nanoparticles into commercial PE in the presence of OPW. The photocatalytic degradation behavior under ultraviolet light or solar light was investigated by examining the weight loss of the composite films, UV-vis transmittance spectrum, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and gel permeation chromatogram (GPC). The results show that OPW, as a dispersant and a compatibiliser, markedly improves the dispersion and compatibility of TiO 2 nanoparticles in PE resins. The PE-OPW-TiO 2 composite film demonstrates much higher photodegradation efficiency and much better mechanical property than either the PE-TiO 2 composite film or the pure PE film. The weight-average molecular weight (M w ) of the PE-OPWTiO 2 composite film decreased 94.3% and the number-average molecular weight (M n ) decreased 84.5% after 38 days solar light irradiation. The photocatalytic degradation mechanism of the film is briefly discussed.