Synthesis and Characterization of Bi<inf>2</inf>WO<inf>6</inf> Nanoplates Loaded with Ag/AgCl Nanoparticles on Top Used for Degradation of Rhodamine B

Abstract

Abstract: Heterostructure Ag/AgCl/Bi2WO6 nanocomposites were successfully synthesized by modifying Bi2WO6 thin nanoplates loaded with Ag/AgCl nanoparticles on top for photodegradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation. The as-prepared Bi2WO6 sample and heterostructure Ag/AgCl/Bi2WO6 nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The analytical results show that metallic Ag nanoparticles and AgCl nanoparticles were supported on the surface of Bi2WO6 thin nanoplates. The photocatalytic efficiencies of as-prepared samples were evaluated through the degradation of RhB under visible light irradiation. In this study, the heterostructure Ag/AgCl/Bi2WO6 nanocomposites have the photocatalytic activity higher than pure Bi2WO6 sample because of the promotion for electronic diffusion between Ag/AgCl and Bi2WO6. The photocatalytic activity of heterostructure Ag/AgCl/Bi2WO6 nanocomposites was 99.00% under visible light irradiation within 45 min.