Synthesis and characterization of Pr6O11 and Ag/Pr6O11 nanorods and their photocatalytic activity toward dye degradation

• Published in: Materials letters 2017-09, Vol.203, p.54-57
• Main Authors: Zhang, Pei, Niu, Tongjun, Zheng, Gang, Liu, Lin, Deng, Jiatao, Jin, Yong, Jiao, Zhifeng, Sun, Xiaosong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ammonia; Ammonia-diffusion; Catalytic activity; Degradation; Diffusion; Dyes; Materials science; Nanoparticles; Nanorods; Optical materials and properties; Photocatalysis; Pr(OH)3; Pr6O11; Rhodamine; Silver; Studies
• ISSN: 0167-577X; 1873-4979
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2017.05.083

•Pr(OH)3 nanorods were prepared through a facile ammonia diffusion process.•Pr6O11 nanorods were prepared via calcining as-prepared Pr(OH)3 nanorods.•Ag/Pr6O11 nanorods were made by depositing Ag nanoparticles on the Pr6O11 nanorods.•Both Pr6O11 and Ag/Pr6O11 nanorods have presented strong photocatalytic capabilities. Both Pr6O11 and Ag/Pr6O11 nanorods are the promising catalysts for the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutant. Hereby, Pr(OH)3 nanorods were prepared via the ammonia-diffusion process, then Pr6O11 nanorods were obtained by calcining Pr(OH)3 nanorods. Ag/Pr6O11 nanorods were prepared by depositing Ag on the Pr6O11 nanorods. Photocatalytic capabilities of both Pr6O11 and Ag/Pr6O11 nanorods were investigated with the degradation of Rhodamine B under Xe-lamp irradiation. The results indicated that while the attached Ag suppressed the recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, the extraordinary surface plasmon resonance effect of Ag nanoparticles would enhance the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of Rhodamine B.