Highly efficient visible-light-induced photoactivity of Z-scheme Ag2CO3/Ag/WO3 photocatalysts for organic pollutant degradation

Abstract

Novel and efficient Z-scheme Ag₂CO₃/Ag/WO₃ with excellent visible-light-driven photocatalytic performance was fabricated using a facile deposition and photochemical reduction process. Surface, morphological, and structural properties of the resulting materials were characterized using N₂ sorption–desorption and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area measurements, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and UV-vis and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The photocatalytic performances of the Ag₂CO₃/Ag/WO₃ composites were evaluated by the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB), methyl orange (MO), ciprofloxacin (CIP), and tetracycline hydrochloride (TC) under visible light irradiation. The results demonstrate that the novel Z-scheme Ag₂CO₃/Ag/WO₃ composites exhibit higher photocatalytic activity than pure Ag₂CO₃ rods and WO₃ nanoparticles. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of Ag₂CO₃/Ag/WO₃ can be ascribed to the extended absorption in the visible light region caused by a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect, effective separation of photogenerated charges, and the formation of a Z-scheme system. In addition, the photocatalyst exhibits high stability and reusability. This work could offer a new insight into the design and fabrication of advanced materials with Z-scheme structures for photocatalytic applications for organic pollutants removal from wastewater.