AgBr/(Sr0.6Bi0.305)2Bi2O7 Heterostructured Composites: Fabrication, Characterization, and Significantly Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity.

The pyrochlore-type (Sr_0.6Bi_0.305)₂Bi₂O₇ (SBO) containing Bi³⁺ and Bi⁵⁺ mixed valent states was first investigated as a photocatalyst in our very recent work. To further improve the photocatalytic performance, AgBr/SBO heterostructured composites were synthesized by using a deposition-precipitation method. The characterization of phase structure, morphology, microstructure, elemental composition, and optical properties of the obtained products were performed using X-ray diffractometer (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM)TEM, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS). The photocatalytic activity of samples was evaluated by degrading methylene blue under visible light illumination. AgBr/SBO composites possess high stability and significantly enhanced photocatalytic performance. The improvement of photocatalytic activity is due to the enhanced light absorption and the separation of photoinduced electrons and holes on the interface of AgBr/SBO heterostructured composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]