Converting AgCl nanocubes to sunlight-driven plasmonic AgCl : Ag nanophotocatalyst with high activity and durability

Abstract

Uniform AgCl nanocubes with an average edge length of 85 nm have been prepared by a facile reverse micelle method. Partially reducing the as-produced AgCl nanocubes enables us to achieve a class of sunlight-driven plasmonic AgCl : Ag nanophotocatalysts. The optical absorption spectrum of the thusachieved nanophotocatalyst exhibits strong absorption in the visible region due to surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of silver nanoparticles. Under sunlight illumination the hybrid AgCl : Ag nanoparticles exhibit high activity and durability towards decomposition of organic pollutant, e.g., methyl orange. The catalyst can be reused for 19 times without loss of activity. The possible photocatalytic mechanism is discussed, which indicates that metallic silver nanograins (or nanoparticles) play a critical role in enhancing photocatalytic performance and stabilizing the photocatalyst. These features mean the present nanophotocatalyst can be applied in environmental remediation, and waste water disinfection.

Surface plasmon resonance-mediated photocatalysis by noble metal-based composites under visible light

“…41b-d, 57 Using an in situ ion exchange reaction between BiOBr microspheres and AgNO 3 followed by photoreduction, Cheng et al 41b synthesized visibleresponsive Ag/AgBr/BiOBr hybrid photocatalyst. It was found that the reaction rate constant for MO decomposition on Ag/ AgBr/BiOBr is 0.396 min À1 , much higher than that of Ag/AgBr (0.024 min À1 ) and N-P25 (0.007 min À1 ).…”

Ag Nanoparticles/AgX (X=Cl, Br and I) Composites with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity and Low Toxicological Effects

“…Many growth techniques and methods have been applied toward the fabrication of Ag/AgX heterostructures. Ag nanoparticles decorated on the surface of semiconductors are mainly prepared using different methods depending on the source of Ag nanoparticle used and include: i) The colloid route, ii) the reduction of metal salts, iii) template‐directed protocols using a surfactant or in situ self‐assembly method, iv) chemical reduction, v) ultrasonic spray pyrolysis methods, and vi) thermal‐or light‐induced reduction of AgX and to generate metallic Ag particles on the surface of the AgX substrate. Very recently, Mao et al .…”

Surfactant-free Pd@pSiO2 yolk–shell nanocatalysts for selective oxidation of primary alcohols to aldehydes

“…Various approaches and methods have been proposed for developing multicomponent hybrid nanomaterials with diverse chemical compositions and morphologies that not only have the original properties of the components but also have new properties derived from the incorporation of each component [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] . Furthermore, the catalytic performance of hybrid nanomaterials has been found to be remarkably superior to that of single-component nanomaterials in diverse reactions.…”