Enhanced photocatalytic degradation activity for tetracycline under visible light irradiation of Ag/Bi3.84W0.16O6.24 nanooctahedrons

Abstract

In this work, a Ag/Bi_3.84W_0.16O_6.24 nanooctahedron composite photocatalyst was successfully synthesized via a green method at room temperature using silver nitrate (AgNO₃) as the silver source. Furthermore, the photocatalytic degradation of TC under visible light was conducted to investigate the effect of Ag. In particular, the Ag/Bi_3.84W_0.16O_6.24 nanooctahedron composite photocatalyst showed the highest photocatalytic activity when the content of Ag was 10% (molar ratio R = 0.1). Electron spin resonance examination confirmed that photoinduced active species (˙OH and O₂˙⁻) were involved in the photocatalytic degradation of TC. The high-efficiency photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared Ag/Bi_3.84W_0.16O_6.24 photocatalyst could be ascribed to the SPR absorption of silver nanoparticles as well as fast generation, separation and transportation of photogenerated carriers.