Visible-light-driven photodegradation of aqueous organic pollutants by Ag/AgCl@Zn3V2O8 nanocomposites

This paper reported the synthesis of Zn3V2O8 nanoplates and Ag/AgCl@Zn3V2O8 nanocomposites, and their visible-light photodegradation of organic pollutants. Ag/AgCl@Zn3V2O8 nanocomposites were synthesized via a novel in situ growth of Ag/AgCl nanocrystals on the surfaces of Zn3V2O8 nanoplates. The samples of Zn-3(OH)(2)V2O7 center dot 2H(2)O, Zn3V2O8 and Ag/AgCl@Zn3V2O8 were characterized by the techniques of scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared, photoluminescence and UV-vis absorption. The Ag/AgCl@Zn3V2O8 nanocomposites showed highly enhanced properties in photodegradating rhodamine B (RhB) and isopropanol under visible-light irradiation (lambda > 420 nm), compared with the Zn3V2O8 nanoplates. The molar ratios of Ag to Zn and processing parameters have an key effect on their photocatalytic properties. The control experiments with various scavengers indicated that photogenerated electrons (center dot OH and center dot O-2(-)) and holes (h(+)) are the major active radicals in the photodegradation of organic species. The synergistic effects of Ag/AgCl and Zn3V2O8 in compositions and microstructures account for their enhanced photocatalytic performance. The strategy developed in this work provides an alternative way to design high-performance visible-light-driven photocatalysts with applications in environmental purification.