Novel Z-scheme Bi2SiO5/AgI nanoplate photocatalysts with the exposure of {100} facets on the surfaces of Bi2SiO5 nanoplates were synthesized via an in situ precipitation method. Acid red G aqueous solution and gaseous formaldehyde were chosen as model organic pollutants to evaluate the photocatalytic activities of the as-prepared catalysts. Under visible light irradiation (>420 nm), the Bi2SiO5/AgI nanoplates exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activities as compared to the pure Bi2SiO5 or AgI. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) reveals that few amount of metallic Ag was formed on the surface of AgI during the photocatalytic reaction, thus leading to the transformation from Bi2SiO5/AgI to Bi2SiO5/AgI@Ag. The excellent photocatalytic activities of the Bi2SiO5/AgI nanoplates can be ascribed to the Z-scheme photocatlytic system composed of Bi2SiO5, AgI and metallic Ag and the inner electric field caused by exposure of {100} facets on the Bi2SiO5 nanoplates. The as-prepared catalysts remained good photocatalytic activity after four recycles and the radical species involved in the degradation process have been investigated by the PL spectra and trapping experiments.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.