Novel synthesis of plasmonic Bi2Sn2O7/Ag-AgCl nanocomposite with enhanced visible light photocatalytic property

We report a novel Bi 2 Sn 2 O 7 /Ag-AgCl photocatalysts with excellent visible-light-driven photocatalytic properties. The crystalline Bi 2 Sn 2 O 7 was synthesized by solid-state reaction at 550   °C. Then Bi 2 Sn 2 O 7 /Ag-AgCl was prepared using deposition-precipitation technique followed by photo-reduction of partial Ag + to Ag 0 nanoparticles on surface of AgCl. The photocatalysis were evaluated by degrading organic dyes under controlled conditions. The Bi 2 Sn 2 O 7 /Ag-AgCl composite exhibited a much improved photocatalysis, approximately 7 times stronger than that of pure Bi 2 Sn 2 O 7 , primarily due to its enhanced visible-light absorption and high separation efficiency of charge. On the basis of band structure analysis, a possible mechanism of photocatalysis enhancement for Bi 2 Sn 2 O 7 /Ag-AgCl is proposed. The strong photocatalytic capability, together with simplicity of fabrication suggests Bi 2 Sn 2 O 7 /Ag-AgCl composite provided in this study may have certain practical applications in water treatments. Additionally, the study implies a novel but simple methodology that may be also applicable in construction of other types of single semiconductor/plasmonic composite photocatalysts.