Facile synthesis of Ag/AgX (X = Cl, Br) with enhanced visible-light-induced photocatalytic activity by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis method

Abstract Ag/AgX (X = Cl, Br) plasmonic photocatalysts were synthesized via a facile one-pot ultrasonic spray pyrolysis method, wherein no additional issues such as high pressure, surfactants and reducing agents were required. The structure, morphology, and optical property of the as-prepared photocatalysts was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), ultraviolet–visible light absorption spectra and total organic carbon (TOC). The results showed that Ag/AgX photocatalysts have excellent photocatalytic performance for the photodegradation of methyl orange (MO) and methylene blue (MB) pollutants under visible light illumination, and the photocatalytic activity maintains a high level after seven cycles. Metallic Ag0 particles nucleate on the surface of AgX uniformly through the thermal decomposition of residual AgNO3 solution, which enhanced the interaction between Ag0 and AgX. The outstanding photocatalytic activity benefits from the small size and high dispersion of Ag0 nanoparticles and the enhanced interaction between Ag0 and AgX.