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.