Facile synthesis of Ag/AgX (X = Cl, Br) with enhanced visible-light-induced photocatalytic activity by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis method

Ag/AgX (X = Cl, Br) plasmonic photocatalysts were synthesized via a facile one-pot ultrasonic spray pyrolysis method, wherein no additional issues such as high pressure, surfactants and reducing agents were required. The structure, morphology, and optical property of the as-prepared photocatalysts was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), ultraviolet–visible light absorption spectra and total organic carbon (TOC). The results showed that Ag/AgX photocatalysts have excellent photocatalytic performance for the photodegradation of methyl orange (MO) and methylene blue (MB) pollutants under visible light illumination, and the photocatalytic activity maintains a high level after seven cycles. Metallic Ag 0 particles nucleate on the surface of AgX uniformly through the thermal decomposition of residual AgNO 3 solution, which enhanced the interaction between Ag 0 and AgX. The outstanding photocatalytic activity benefits from the small size and high dispersion of Ag 0 nanoparticles and the enhanced interaction between Ag 0 and AgX.