CeVO4 nanoparticle coupled with Ag/AgBr as an efficient plasmonic photocatalyst for degradation of rhodamine B: Construction, characterization, and mechanism insight

• Published in: The Journal of physics and chemistry of solids 2023-10, Vol.181, p.111535, Article 111535
• Main Authors: Ma, Mengxia, Yan, Xu, Mao, Yanli, Kang, Haiyan, Yan, Qun, Chen, Xinghua, Zhou, Jieqiang, Pan, Long, Li, Yanna, Cui, Leqi, Zhu, Han, Pang, Dandan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ag/AgBr; CeVO4; Microwave synthesis; RhB degradation; Surface plasmon resonance
• ISSN: 0022-3697
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpcs.2023.111535

The unique characteristics of the surface plasmon resonance effect significantly improve the utilization rate of solar energy and charge separation of narrow band-gap semiconductor materials. In this work, Ag/AgBr/CeVO4 plasmonic photocatalyst was synthesized by the microwave-assisted hydrothermal method, followed by in-situ precipitation and photoreduction process. The as-prepared Ag/AgBr/CeVO4-2.0 composite showed superior photocatalytic efficiency for degradation of rhodamine B (84.2% in 10 min), which was 1.45 and 84.2 times higher than that of Ag/AgBr and pristine CeVO4 nanoparticles (NPS, size 30–50 nm), respectively. Photoluminescence and photocurrent tests indicated the rapid transfer and separation of electron–hole pairs in this plasmonic system, which can be attributed to the localized surface plasmon resonance effect of Ag NPs. In investigations on band structure and radical quenching experiments, a Z-scheme photocatalytic system bridged by the Ag NPs was proposed. This research offers revealing insight into the design and fabrication of the CeVO4 plasmonic photocatalytic system for application in environment purification and remediation. •A novel Z-scheme heterojunction Ag/AgBr/CeVO4 successfully were fabricated.•The SPR effect of Ag nanoparticles inhibits e− and h+ recombination.•The photocatalysts showed excellent photocatalytic activity under visible light.•The Ag/AgBr/CeVO4 system exhibits good reusability and high stability.•Z-scheme mechanism of Ag/AgBr/CeVO4 heterojunction heterostructure photocatalyst was proposed.