A facile synthesis of Ag incorporated Bi2O3/CuS nanocomposites as photocatalyst for degradation of environmental contaminants

Binary Bi2O3/CuS (2, 3 & 5 wt%) and ternary Bi2O3/CuS (3 %)/Ag (3, 10 & 15 wt%) nanocomposites were successfully prepared by a facile precipitation and deposition methods. The prepared materials were characterized for different features by using various techniques in a matter of structure (XRD), constitutional elements (EDX), morphology characteristics (FESEM and HRTEM), optical (PL and UV-DRS) and photocatalytic properties. The photocatalytic performance of the prepared nanocomposites was tested on the organic pollutant, RhB dye. Bi2O3/CuS/Ag nanocomposites resulted the maximum activity in the acidic medium (99.3 % in 60 min) as compared to basic (10.9 % in 60 min) and neutral (1.22 % in 60 min) medium. As photocatalysts, ternary nanocomposite Bi2O3/CuS (3 wt%) /Ag (10 wt%) showed highest performance in degradation (99.3 % degradation in 60 min) than binary Bi2O3/CuS (3 wt%) sample (97.2 % degradation in 60 min). The increased photocatalytic efficiencies due to the refinement in the absorbance and obtained band gap in visible region (2.14 eV) and formation of heterojunctions due to which lifetime of the photo-induced electron-hole species is intensified by the decrement in recombination. Active species involved in the degradation reaction were also examined by scavenger studies and follows the order: holes > superoxide anion radical > hydroxyl radical.