Ag/Ag(2)Cra(4) nanoparticles modified on ZnO nanorods as an efficient plasmonic photocatalyst under visible light

Abstract

The highly efficient plasmonic photocatalysts have drawn attention with their effective charge carrier separation capabilities and visible light absorption features, which makes them immensely favorable material in the organic contaminants eliminating for wastewater treatment. Thus, the goal of this study is to improve visible light driven plasmonic photocatalysts using Ag/Ag2CrO4 and ZnO. A highly efficient nanoheterojunction structured Ag/Ag2CrO4/ZnO has been prepared by precipitation-photoreduction method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), electrochemical measurements and UV-vis diffuse reflectance/absorbance spectroscopy (DRS). When photocatalytic efficiencies of ZnO, Ag2CrO4, Ag/Ag2CrO4, Ag2CrO4/ZnO and Ag/Ag2CrO4/ZnO are compared, Ag/Ag2CrO4/ZnO exhibits the best efficiency for the degradation of indigo carmine (IC) under visible-light. The reasons for the highly increased performance of Ag/Ag2CrO4/ZnO may be related to the synergistic effect of Ag/Ag2CrO4 doped on ZnO surface. Thus, the visible light absorption capability of ZnO can be increased and the recombination of charge carriers can be effectively hindered. The nano photocatalyst also showed high stability even after five cycles. Therefore, the Ag/Ag2CrO4/ZnO can be effectively used as active plasmonic photocatalysts under visible light and it exhibits a great potential in removing environmental contamination.