Novel visible-light AgBr/Ag3PO4 hybrids photocatalysts with surface plasma resonance effects

Three kinds of AgBr/Ag3PO4 hybrids were synthesised via an anion-exchange precipitation method and characterised by XRD, XPS, SEM, EDS, and UV-vis. The results showed that AgBr/Ag3PO4 hybrids displayed much higher photocatalytic activities than single Ag 3PO4 or AgBr under visible light (λ>4420nm), and. OH and h+ were the major active species during the degradation process. Considering interstitial ions Agi+ on lattice gap of AgBr are easy to become sliver particle, we deduced the possible photocatalytic mechanism could be ascribed to the synergistic effects of the appropriate valence band position of Ag3PO4 and AgBr, surface plasmon resonance effect of Ag0, reactive radical species Br0, and the Ag vacancy on the surface of catalysts. © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.