Solution combustion synthesis of Ag-decorated Bi5O7NO3 composites with enhanced photocatalytic properties

A new and efficient series of photocatalysts , Bi 5 O 7 NO 3 and Ag/Bi 5 O 7 NO 3 composites, were successfully prepared by a one-pot solution combustion synthesis (SCS) method. Bi(NO 3 ) 3 , C 4 H 6 O 6 , and AgNO 3 were used as the oxidant, fuel, and Ag source, respectively. The crystals structure of the orthorhombic Bi 5 O 7 NO 3 and cubic Ag was characterized by employing XRD and EPMA techniques. Both Bi 5 O 7 NO 3 and Ag/Bi 5 O 7 NO 3 composites showed good photocatalytic degradation efficiencies for methyl orange (MO) under visible-light irradiation. The PL analysis results showed metallic Ag played a vital role in improving the separation of photo-induced electrons and holes, leading to the enhancement of photocatalytic activity. The Ag-5% composite showed the highest photocatalytic degradation efficiency (95% at 60 min), which is 1.5 times more than that of pure Bi 5 O 7 NO 3 .