Synthesis of hexagonal‐like ZnO/Ag composite with excellent photocatalytic activity

Abstract

Hexagonal-like zinc oxide (ZnO)/silver (Ag) composite was successfully synthesised by a flux/solvothermal route, and Ag nanoparticles are loaded on ZnO. Compared with pure ZnO, the attachment of Ag on ZnO can significantly increase visible-light absorption and reduce photoluminescence emission intensity. The photocatalytic performance of ZnO/Ag composite was evaluated by the degradation of Rhodamine B solution under ultraviolet (UV) light and visible light irradiation. The degradation rate of ZnO/Ag composite is obviously improved compared with pure ZnO and the commercial TiO 2 (P25) and is more than 2.5 and 2.9 times faster than that of pure ZnO under the UV and visible light irradiation, respectively. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of ZnO/Ag composite under UV irradiation was ascribed to the formation of Schottky barriers between Ag particles and ZnO. However, the superior photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation could be attributed to the surface plasmon resonance of Ag particles.

Ag-Loaded ZnO Nanocomposite Films as Photocatalysts for the Degradation of Pigments under Visible Light

“…Furthermore, photoinduced electron–hole pairs mostly easily recombine. Previous studies have shown loading noble metal nanoparticles, especially Ag, , onto semiconductors, which can ameliorate the catalytic activity of semiconductor photocatalysts. The reason for this is that the optical absorption of noble metal nanoparticles can be adjusted to the visible-light region; simultaneously, the SPR effect of nanoparticles can generate photoinduced electrons that are injected into the adjacent semiconductor conduction band, increasing the carrier concentration in the composite system .…”

Hybridisation of ZnO with Ti 3 C 2 as a co‐catalyst for enhanced photocatalytic activity

“…However, the disadvantage of easy recombination of photogenerated electron–hole pairs results in the low optical quantum efficiency of ZnO. To promote the separation of photogenerated electrons and holes, the technique of coupling ZnO with other co‐catalysts has been extensively investigated [9–11].…”

Photocatalytic potentiality of a two‐dimensional Fe‐doped C 2 N material in visible light

“…In the 19th century, semiconductor materials [5, 6] have played an extremely important role in the development of photocatalytic technology. Among them, TiO 2 [7, 8] is a representative semiconductor material.…”