Microwave-assisted synthesis of a Z-scheme heterojunction Ag/AgBr@BiOBr/Bi2O3 photocatalyst for efficient organic pollutant degradation under visible light

Abstract

A plasmonic Z-scheme photocatalyst comprised of Ag/AgBr-decorated BiOBr/Bi₂O₃ nanosheets was synthesized successfully using a rapid microwave-assisted one-step approach. The Ag/AgBr particles were generated simultaneously on the surface of the BiOBr/Bi₂O₃ nanosheets. This construction resulted in the formation of multiplex phenomena, including the surface plasmon resonance effect of Ag particles, the photosensitive role of AgBr in enhancing visible light utilization, and efficient charge transfer processes in the quaternary heterojunction photocatalyst. The as-prepared catalyst exhibited remarkable photocatalytic activity toward the destruction of tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) (93.7%), methyl orange (MO) (96.6%), and rhodamine B (RhB) (100%) under visible light. The catalyst exhibited high photocatalytic stability under visible light irradiation, retaining 97% of its activity after nine cycles of MO degradation. This was attributed to the multiple synergistic mechanisms of the components following the Z-scheme mechanism, which facilitated rapid charge transfer and restricted the decomposition of AgBr to achieve high efficiency and stable catalysts.