Plasmonic Ag nanoparticles decorated NiAl-layered double hydroxide/graphitic carbon nitride nanocomposites for efficient visible-light-driven photocatalytic removal of aqueous organic pollutants.

Ag nanoparticles decorated NiAl-layered double hydroxide/graphitic carbon nitride (Ag/LDH/g-C 3 N 4 ) nanocomposites were synthesized for the first time by an in situ hydrothermal method, followed by photoreduction. The visible-light-driven Ag/LDH/g-C 3 N 4 nanocomposites exhibited enhanced performance for the photocatalytic degradation of aqueous Rhodamine B and 4-chlorophenol. Notably, the Ag/LDH/g-C 3 N 4 nanocomposite with LDH and Ag contents of 15 wt% and 1 wt%, respectively, showed the highest photocatalytic performance, which was far superior to that observed for pure g-C 3 N 4 , LDH, and the binary Ag/g-C 3 N 4 and LDH/g-C 3 N 4 composites. The enhanced photocatalytic efficiency was mainly attributed to rapid charge transfer at the Ag/LDH/g-C 3 N 4 interfaces and the surface plasmon resonance of the Ag nanoparticles, which promotes the separation efficiency of photogenerated charge carriers and improves optical absorption. Additionally, the Ag/LDH/g-C 3 N 4 nanocomposites exhibited excellent photostability during successive experimental runs, with no significant change in degradation performance. These findings are expected to provide new mechanistic insights into the design and construction of efficient visible-light-driven photocatalysts for application in solar energy conversion and environmental remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]