Ag-Ag2CO3/Bi2MoO6 composites with enhanced visible-light-driven catalytic activity

Novel Ag-Ag 2 CO 3 /Bi 2 MoO 6 composites were obtained through in situ formation of Ag 2 CO 3 rods/nanoparticles onto Bi 2 MoO 6 nanosheets, followed by photoreduction. These composites were found to be much more active than Bi 2 MoO 6 in photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under visible-light irradiation. In particular, an Ag-Ag 2 CO 3 /Bi 2 MoO 6 composite with a theoretical Ag 2 CO 3 /Bi 2 MoO 6 mass ratio of ∼27.5% exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity. It was also the most active in photocatalytic degradation of methyl blue (MB) and tetracycline hydrochloride (TC), due to the enhanced visible-light absorption and efficient separation of photogenerated carriers. The good reusability of Ag-Ag 2 CO 3 /Bi 2 MoO 6 was verified by cycling degradation experiments. The dominant active species were found to be photogenerated holes (h + ). A possible photocatalytic mechanism was proposed.