Synthesis of Z-scheme Ag/AgI/Bi2MoO6 nanocomposites used for high- efficiency visible-light-driven photocatalyst

Visible-light-driven Z-scheme Ag/AgI/Bi2MoO6 photocatalysts were successfully prepared via precipitation-sonochemical deposition method. Structure, morphology, composition and optical properties of as-prepared Z-scheme Ag/AgI/Bi2MoO6 nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, UV-Visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and photoluminescence analysis. Comparing among the Bi2MoO6, AgI/ Bi2MoO6 and Ag/AgI/Bi2MoO6 samples, the Z-scheme Ag/AgI/Bi2MoO6 photocatalyst exhibited the enhanced photocatalytic performance for the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under visi-ble radiation due to the formation of heterostructure of Ag/AgI and Bi2MoO6. The trapping experi-ment certified that h+ and center dot O2- are the major active species in the photodegradation of RhB. The Ag/ AgI/Bi2MoO6 nanocomposites have very high photostability and can be used for the photocatalytic application.