Facile synthesis of a robust visible-light-driven AgCl/WO3 composite microrod photocatalyst.

A series of robust AgCl/WO 3 composite microrods (0.1–0.2 μ m) with different Ag/W molar ratios (0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, 1.25) were synthesized via hydrothermal-calcination process. The obtained samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, FT-IR, UV-vis DRS, PL, BET, Raman, transient TPRT and EIS. The photocatalytic test for organic dyes degradation showed that AgCl/WO 3 microrods possess much higher photocatalytic activities and stability than bare AgCl and WO 3. With optimal AgCl/WO 3 molar ratio (0.75 ∼ 1), 2 ∼ 5 times increase in dye decomposition efficiency was obtained over AgCl/WO 3 microrods. The formation of intimate WO 3 /AgCl heterojuction (interface) largely enhanced the separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers. This investigation suggested that AgCl/WO 3 microrods could a promising photocatalyst for environmental remediation. Image 1 • 100 ∼ 200 nm AgCl/WO3 composite nanorods were synthesized. • With molar ratio of 0.75 ∼ 1(AgCl/WO3), 2 ∼ 5 times increase in activity was obtained. • The WO3/AgCl interface boosted the separation of photo-induced carriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]