Facile photodeposition synthesis of novel Ag/4-Br/Bi2O3 composite photocatalyst

A novel Ag/4-Br/Bi2O3 composite photocatalyst was prepared by the hydrothermal and photodeposition method, and characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM and UV–vis analysis, respectively. The results indicated that the nanoparticles of Ag were successfully deposited on the surface of 4-Br/Bi2O3 composite. The as-prepared sample of Ag/4-Br/Bi2O3 showed higher photocatalytic activity than that of pure Bi2O3 or 4-Br/Bi2O3 through photodegradation of methyl orange (MO) under visible light. The enhanced photocatalytic activity could be attributed to the expansion of photoresponse range and the acceleration of carriers transmit caused by loading of Ag nanoparticles. Additionally, a possible photocatalytic mechanism of the Ag/4-Br/Bi2O3 composite was put forward.