Cubic AgBiS2 Powder Prepared Using a Facile Reflux Method for Photocatalytic Degradation of Dyes

The ternary chalcogenide AgBiS2has attracted widespread attention in the field of photovoltaic and photoelectric devices due to its excellent properties. In this study, AgBiS2powders with an average diameter of 200 nm were prepared via a simple and convenient reflux method from silver acetate, bismuth nitrate pentahydrate, and n-dodecyl mercaptan. The adjustment of the ratios of Ag:Bi:S raw materials and of the reaction temperatures were carried out to investigate the significance of the synthesis conditions toward the composition of the as-synthesized AgBiS2. The results of XRD indicated that the powders synthesized at a ratio of 1.05:1:2.1 and a synthesis temperature of 225 °C have the lowest bismuth content and the highest purity. The synthesized AgBiS2crystallizes in a rock salt type structure with the cubicFm3¯mspace group. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, ultraviolet–visible–near-infrared spectra, and photocatalytic degradation performance were employed to characterize the as-synthesized samples. The results demonstrated that AgBiS2powders display thermal stability; strong absorption in the ultraviolet, visible, and partial infrared regions; and an optical bandgap of 0.98 eV. The obtained AgBiS2powders also have a good degradation effect on the methylene blue solution with a degradation efficiency of 58.61% and a rate constant of 0.0034 min−1, indicating that it is an efficient strategy for sewage degradation to reduce water pollution.Keywords:AgBiS2;reflux method;photocatalytic degradation