Synthesis of highly efficient visible light Ag@Ag3VO4 plasmonic photocatalysts

• Published in: Surface & coatings technology 2013-08, Vol.228, p.S283-S286
• Main Authors: Wang, G., Ren, Y., Zhou, G.J., Wang, J.P., Cheng, H.F., Wang, Z.Y., Zhan, J., Huang, B.B., Jiang, M.H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ag@Ag3VO4; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Materials science; Photocatalysis; Physics; Plasmon resonance; Surface modification; Surface treatments
• ISSN: 0257-8972; 1879-3347
• DOI: 10.1016/j.surfcoat.2012.05.124

Highly efficient visible light photocatalysts Ag@Ag3VO4 were synthesized by a soft-chemical route. Due to the surface modification of Ag3VO4 by silver nanoparticles, the absorption in the visible region of the as-prepared photocatalyst Ag@Ag3VO4 was greatly enhanced by surface plasmon resonance effect. The phase structures of the as-prepared samples were confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy was employed to study the optical properties of Ag@Ag3VO4. Application of the as-prepared Ag@Ag3VO4 in photocatalysis was also studied. The results showed that Ag@Ag3VO4 was a highly efficient and stable visible light active photocatalyst in the photodegradation of organic pollutants. ► Plasmonic photocatalysts Ag@Ag3VO4 were synthesized with soft-chemical route. ► The Ag@Ag3VO4 photocatalyst exhibited visible light photocatalytic property. ► The mechanism relies on the plasmonic effect of Ag NPs on the surface of Ag3VO4.