Plasmonic Ag/AgCl‐modified bismuth subcarbonate with enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity

Abstract

Plasmonic Ag/AgCl‐modified bismuth subcarbonate (Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 ) composites were prepared by a multistep process with hydrothermal, deposition, and photoreduction in the absence of organic capping agents. The properties of the obtained Ag/AgCl/Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 samples were characterized using X‐ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron, UV–visible diffuse reflectance, and photoluminescence spectroscopies. The results reveal that Ag/AgCl nanoparticles are dispersed on the Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 surface to achieve plasmonic Ag/AgCl/Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 . The Ag/AgCl/Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 nanocomposites show improved rhodamine B (RhB) adsorption capacity and photocatalytic activity compared with pure Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 and Ag/AgCl. In addition, the Ag/AgCl/Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 composite with 20 wt% Ag/AgCl exhibits the highest photocatalytic activity and remains stable for the photodegradation of RhB under visible light. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of Ag/AgCl/Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 may be attributed to the surface plasmon resonance effect of in situ generated Ag nanoparticles and synergistic effect of Ag/AgCl and Bi 2 O 2 CO 3 , which increase the separation efficiency of photogenerated electron–hole pairs under visible light irradiation.