In-situ preparation of Ag2S nanoparticle-anchored BiVO4 nanosheet p-n heterostructure on three-dimensional flexible substrate for enhancement of photocatalytic activity

A series of hybrid films were designed and fabricated by in situ growth of Ag 2 S nanoparticles with varying content on BiVO 4 nanosheets deposited on stainless steel mesh. The formation of a p-n heterojunction between Ag 2 S and BiVO 4 enabled an extended spectral response range and facilitated the separation of charge carriers through a single directional pathway for electron transport. Exploiting these advantages, Ag 2 S/BiVO 4 composites were employed in various photocatalytic applications under simulated solar irradiation. The results demonstrated, in terms of water purification, that the composite not only possessed photocatalytic ability to degrade RhB or Cr(VI) individually but also exhibited significantly enhanced photocatalytic efficiency in simultaneously removing mixed pollutants containing RhB and Cr(VI). In terms of CO 2 conversion, Ag 2 S/BiVO 4 also displayed a stronger photocatalysis capability compared to pure BiVO 4 film. Furthermore, the immobilized Ag 2 S/BiVO 4 film exhibited improved mechanical strength and long-term stability, making it highly suitable for practical applications.