Deposition of Ag@AgCl onto two dimensional square-like BiOCl nanoplates for high visible-light photocatalytic activity

Ag@AgCl nanoparticles were deposited on two dimensional (2D) square-like BiOCl nanoplates through an in-situ ultraviolet (UV) reduction method. In the method, CTAC was used as both Cl source and dispersant. The obtained samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrum (DRS). Results showed that the Ag@AgCl-BiOCl hybrids exhibited an enhancement of photo-absorption in the visible and near infrared region owing to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of Ag. The activity of the obtained samples was investigated by the photodegradation of dye X-3B. Results showed that all the Ag@AgCl-BiOCl hybrids exhibited higher activity than pure BiOCl. The highest one showed five times enhancement in photoactivity compared to pure BiOCl. Furthermore, the mechanisms of sample growth and dye decomposition were proposed. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.