title: Synthesis and characterization of novel plasmonic Ag/AgX-CNTs (X = Cl, Br, I) nanocomposite photocatalysts and synergetic degradation of organic pollutant under visible light.
abstract: A series of novel well-defined Ag/AgX (X = Cl, Br, I) loaded carbon nanotubes (CNTs) composite photocatalysts (Ag/AgX-CNTs) were fabricated for the first time via a facile ultrasonic assistant deposition-precipitation method at the room temperature (25 ± 1 °C). X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption-desorption analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and ultraviolet-visible light absorption spectra analysis were used to characterize the structure, morphology, and optical properties of the as-prepared photocatalysts. Results confirmed the existence of the direct interfacial contact between Ag/AgX nanoparticles and CNTs, and Ag/AgX-CNTs nanocomposites exhibit superior absorbance in the visible light (VL) region owing to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of Ag nanoparticles. The fabricated composite photocatalysts were employed to remove 2,4,6-tribromophenol (TBP) in aqueous phase. A remarkably enhanced VL photocatalytic degradation efficiency of Ag/AgX-CNTs nanocomposites was observed when compared to that of pure AgX or CNTs. The photocatalytic activity enhancement of Ag/AgX-CNTs was due to the effective electron transfer from photoexcited AgX and plasmon-excited Ag(0) nanoparticles to CNTs. This can effectively decrease the recombination of electron-hole pairs, lead to a prolonged lifetime of the photoholes that promotes the degradation efficiency.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Resources Utilization and Protection, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China.
authors.forename: Huixian
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Jiangyao
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Guiying
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Nie
authors.forename: Huijun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Po-Keung
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Taicheng
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: An
mesh_terms: D002384:Catalysis; D008027:Light; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000737:chemistry; D010636:Phenols / Q000737:chemistry; D010777:Photochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D056951:Photoelectron Spectroscopy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D012834:Silver / Q000737:chemistry*; D020349:Surface Plasmon Resonance; D013499:Surface Properties; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D010636:Phenols; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D014867:Water; D012834:Silver; C004554:2,4,6-tribromophenol