Fabrication of Z-scheme plasmonic photocatalyst Ag@AgBr/g-C3N4 with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials 2014-04, Vol.271, p.150-159
• Main Authors: Yang, Yuxin, Guo, Wan, Guo, Yingna, Zhao, Yahui, Yuan, Xing, Guo, Yihang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ag@AgBr; Applied sciences; Azo Compounds - chemistry; Bromides - chemistry; Bromides - radiation effects; Catalysis; Catalytic reactions; Chemical engineering; Chemistry; Coloring Agents - chemistry; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Graphitic carbon nitride; Light; Nitriles - chemistry; Nitriles - radiation effects; Plasmonic photocatalysis; Pollution; Reactors; Rhodamines - chemistry; Silver - chemistry; Silver - radiation effects; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry; Water Pollutants, Chemical - chemistry; Z-scheme
• ISSN: 0304-3894; 1873-3336
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2014.02.023

•Z-scheme plasmonic photocatalyst of Ag@AgBr/g-C3N4 is prepared for the first time.•Ag@AgBr/g-C3N4 shows enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity.•Photocatalytic mechanism based on the experimental results is revealed.•Photocatalytic degradation pathway of MO is put forward. A series of Ag@AgBr grafted graphitic carbon nitride (Ag@AgBr/g-C3N4) plasmonic photocatalysts are fabricated through photoreducing AgBr/g-C3N4 hybrids prepared by deposition–precipitation method. The phase and chemical structures, electronic and optical properties as well as morphologies of Ag@AgBr/g-C3N4 heterostructures are well-characterized. Subsequently, the photocatalytic activity of Ag@AgBr/g-C3N4 is evaluated by the degradation of methyl orange (MO) and rhodamin B (RB) under visible-light irradiation. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of Ag@AgBr/g-C3N4 compared with g-C3N4 and Ag@AgBr is obtained and explained in terms of the efficient visible-light utilization efficiency as well as the construction of Z-scheme, which keeps photogenerated electrons and holes with high reduction and oxidation capability, evidenced by photoelectrochemical tests and free radical and hole scavenging experiments. Based on the intermediates identified in the reaction system, the photocatalytic degradation pathway of MO is put forward.