Enhanced Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalysis of Ag/Ag2O/ZnO Nanocomposite Heterostructures

Abstract

Visible-light-driven photocatalysis is one promising and efficient approach for decontaminating pollutants. Herein, we report the combination of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and p-n heterojunction structure Ag-Ag2O-ZnO nanocomposite synthesized by a hydrothermal process for the suppression of photogenerated electron-hole pair recombination rates, the extension of the absorption edge to the visible region, and the enhancement of photocatalytic efficiency. The prepared nanocomposites were investigated by standard analytical techniques and the results revealed that the synthesized powders were comprised of Ag, Ag2O, and ZnO phases. Photocatalytic activity of the photocatalyst tested for methylene blue, methyl orange, and rhodamine B showed the highest photocatalytic degradation efficiency: 97.3%, 91.1%, and 94.8% within 60 min under visible-light irradiation. The average lifetime of the photogenerated charge carriers was increased twofold in the Ag-Ag2O-ZnO photocatalyst (~10 ns) compared to the pure ZnO (~5.2 ns). The enhanced photocatalytic activity resulted from a decrease of the charge carrier recombination rate as inferred from the steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence investigations, and the increased photoabsorption ability. The Ag-Ag2O-ZnO photocatalyst was stable over five repeated cyclic photodegradation tests without showing any significant changes in performance. Additionally, the structure indicated a potential for application in environmental remediation. The present study showcases the robust design of highly efficient and reusable visible-light-active photocatalysts via the combination of p-n heterojunction and LSPR phenomena.

Improving Long‐Term Stability of Kesterite Thin‐Film Solar Cells with Oxide/Metal/Oxide Multilayered Transparent Conducting Electrodes

“…The inserted horizontal dashed lines in Figure 6 represent the Ag 1+ or Ag 2+ states from the Ag–O bonding (from 367.6 to 368 eV) and the Ag 0 state from the Ag metal (from 366.7 to 367.6 eV). [ 64,65 ] All OMO TCEs show similar behavior regardless of bottom oxide. The binding energies from 366.8 to 372.2 eV and correspond to the Ag 0 states from the Ag metal and are clearly observed from the top oxides to the Ag/bottom interface in the OMO TCEs with the PHT process.…”

Enhanced photoactive performance of three-layer structured Ag/Cu2O/TiO2 composites with tunable crystal microstructures

“…15 Ag particles are widely used as a decoration substance because of their lower cost and facile preparation approaches in comparison with other noble metals. [16][17][18] Integration of Ag particles with semiconductors can improve the photoactive performance. 19,20 Furthermore, an Ag particle-decorated heterogeneous p-n semiconductor structure is a promising material design strategy to fabricate highly efficient photocatalysts.…”

“…[21][22][23] The utilization of surface plasmonic metal loaded p-n heterojunction Ag-Ag 2 O-ZnO nanocomposites synthesized by a hydrothermal method has shown substantially improved photocatalytic degradation efficiency towards organic dyes. 18 Ag particle-decorated p-AgBr/n-BiVO 4 nanocomposites demonstrate markedly enhanced photocatalytic performance. 24 An Ag-Cu 2 O/ZnO photocatalyst presents excellent photocatalytic activity for CO 2 reduction by the strategy of the p-n junction formation and Ag particle modification.…”

Ag-Decorated Vertically Aligned ZnO Nanorods for Non-Enzymatic Glucose Sensor Applications

“…ZnO has been utilized extensively as a wide-band-gap semiconductor. It is also a versatile material with a wide range of different shapes as well as morphologies, such as nanosprings, nanocombs, nanobelts, nanocages, and nanowires [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ]. Compared to other noble metals (Au/Pt), silver (Ag) nanoparticles exhibit unique characteristics, including biocompatibility, excellent catalytic activity, low toxicity, antibacterial qualities, and affordability, and, hence, they were chosen in our study to decorate ZnO NRs [ 23 , 24 , 25 ].…”