Converting AgCl nanocubes to sunlight-driven plasmonic AgCl : Ag nanophotocatalyst with high activity and durability

Abstract

Uniform AgCl nanocubes with an average edge length of 85 nm have been prepared by a facile reverse micelle method. Partially reducing the as-produced AgCl nanocubes enables us to achieve a class of sunlight-driven plasmonic AgCl : Ag nanophotocatalysts. The optical absorption spectrum of the thus-achieved nanophotocatalyst exhibits strong absorption in the visible region due to surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of silver nanoparticles. Under sunlight illumination the hybrid AgCl : Ag nanoparticles exhibit high activity and durability towards decomposition of organic pollutant, e.g., methyl orange. The catalyst can be reused for 19 times without loss of activity. The possible photocatalytic mechanism is discussed, which indicates that metallic silver nanograins (or nanoparticles) play a critical role in enhancing photocatalytic performance and stabilizing the photocatalyst. These features mean the present nanophotocatalyst can be applied in environmental remediation, and waste water disinfection.