Z-scheme BiVO4/Ag/Ag2S composites with enhanced photocatalytic efficiency under visible light. Issue 51 (18th August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Yi; Chen, Jiajia; Zhang, Jinfeng; Tang, Zhongliang; Li, Haibin; Yuan, Jian
• Is Part Of: RSC advances. Volume 10:Issue 51(2020)
• Page Start: 30245
• Page End: 30253
• Publication Date: 2020-08-18
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/d0ra05712f
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2069

Abstract

Abstract : The Z-scheme BiVO4 /Ag/Ag2 S photocatalyst was fabricated via a two-step route. Abstract : The Z-scheme BiVO4 /Ag/Ag2 S photocatalyst was fabricated via a two-step route. The as-prepared samples were characterized by XRD, FE-SEM, HRTEM, XPS and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The results of PL and photocurrent response tests demonstrate that the ternary BiVO4 /Ag/Ag2 S composites had a high separation and migration efficiency of photoexcited carriers. As a result, the ternary photocatalyst exhibits enhanced photocatalytic activity for decomposing Rhodamine B (RhB) under LED light (420 nm) irradiation. The results of trapping experiments demonstrate both h + and ˙OH play crucial roles in decomposing RhB molecules. Additionally, the energy band structures and density of states (DOS) of BiVO4 and Ag2 S were investigated via the density functional theory (DFT) method. Finally, a Z-scheme electron migration mechanism of BiVO4 → Ag → Ag2 S was proposed based on the experimental and calculated results.