POM-Mediated Synthesis of Ag/PW12/g-C3N4 Nanocomposite Exhibiting Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance Under Visible Light

Abstract

The photoreduction method was utilized to synthesize the Ag/PW12/g-C3N4 nanocomposite. The polyanion PW12O403− served as the photoreductant, and as a stabilizer and protectant for Ag nanoparticles. TEM images reveals that Ag nanoparticles with a size of approximately 5 nm were modified on the surface of g-C3N4. Photocatalytic experiments confirm that Ag/PW12/g-C3N4, with the mass ratio of Ag3PW12O40 to g-C3N4 nanosheets at 30%, exhibits high efficiency and durability in the photodegradation of Rhodamine B. Research on the photocatalytic mechanism indicates that decorating PW12O403− and Ag nanoparticles on the surface of g-C3N4 nanosheets is beneficial for improving the separation of electron–hole pairs and enhancing the capability for visible light absorption.