Controllable fabrication of α-Ag2WO4 nanorod-clusters with superior simulated sunlight photocatalytic performance. Issue 1 (30th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Bing-Yu; Zhang, Guo-Ying; Cui, Guan-Wei; Xu, Yan-Yan; Liu, Yue; Xing, Chun-Yan
• Is Part Of: Inorganic chemistry frontiers. Volume 6:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 209
• Page End: 219
• Publication Date: 2018-11-30
• Subjects: Chemistry, Inorganic -- Periodicals; 546.05
• DOI: 10.1039/c8qi01025k
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2052-1553

Abstract

Abstract : This work presents the greatly boosted photoactivity of α-Ag2 WO4 nanorod-clusters fabricated by adjusting the molar ratio of raw materials. Abstract : α-Ag2 WO4 clusters comprising an assembly of nanorods were controllably fabricated via a simple ion exchange method at room temperature. The phase, morphology, microstructure, optical absorption, photoluminescence, photoelectrochemical properties and photocatalytic behavior of the products were systematically explored. α-Ag2 WO4 nanorod-clusters of high purity are achieved at a medium pH of 9.8 provided by adjusting the molar ratio of AgNO3 and Na2 WO4 to 1 : 4, and the sample exhibits superior photocatalytic activity for the degradation of organic pollutants. Its rate constant k is as high as 21.8 fold in comparison with that of the sample obtained with stoichiometric raw materials at a ratio of 1 : 0.5. The boosted photoactivity of α-Ag2 WO4 clusters can be well accounted for by the broadened light harvesting and accelerated charge separation, which are proved by the red-shifted light absorption, higher photocurrent and a smaller Nyquist impedance radius. Based on the detected active species and the band edge positions, a possible migration mechanism of photoinduced e − /h + pairs on the surface of α-Ag2 WO4 clusters was proposed. This work provides some new insights into the rational design and synthesis of photocatalysts with a deep understanding of the relationship among the experimental parameters, the microstructure and properties to acquire a more desired photoactivity.