Three-dimensional hierarchical Ag/AgI/BiOI microspheres with high visible-light photocatalytic activity

Three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical Ag/AgI/BiOI microspheres were prepared by microwave-assisted solvethermal process and subsequently in situ photo-assisted reduction approach. A reactive ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium iodine([Bmim]l) was employed as I source in the presence of surfactant polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The scanning electron microscope(SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations revealed that the obtained Ag/AgI/BiOI had three-dimensional hierarchical frameworks assembled by nanoflakes. Nitrogen sorption analysis showed that the Ag/AgI/BiOI microspheres exhibited a large Brunauer-Emmett-Teller specific surface area of 73.63 m(2)/g. The obtained Ag/AgI/BiOI showed excellent photocatalytic activity for the decomposition of methylene blue (MB) and o-nitrophenol (OPN) under visible light irridiation, which can be ascribed to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect caused by the silver nanoparticles present in the composite photocatalyst. (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier B.V.