Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Plasmonic
Ag/AgX-CNTs (X = Cl, Br, I) Nanocomposite Photocatalysts and Synergetic
Degradation of Organic Pollutant under Visible Light
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Abstract
A series of novel well-defined Ag/AgX
(X = Cl, Br, I) loaded carbon nanotubes (CNTs) composite photocatalysts
(Ag/AgX-CNTs) were fabricated for the first time via a facile ultrasonic
assistant deposition–precipitation method at the room temperature
(25 ± 1 °C). X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy,
nitrogen adsorption–desorption analysis, scanning electron
microscopy, and ultraviolet–visible light absorption spectra
analysis were used to characterize the structure, morphology, and
optical properties of the as-prepared photocatalysts. Results confirmed
the existence of the direct interfacial contact between Ag/AgX nanoparticles
and CNTs, and Ag/AgX-CNTs nanocomposites exhibit superior absorbance
in the visible light (VL) region owing to the surface plasmon resonance
(SPR) of Ag nanoparticles. The fabricated composite photocatalysts
were employed to remove 2,4,6-tribromophenol (TBP) in aqueous phase.
A remarkably enhanced VL photocatalytic degradation efficiency of
Ag/AgX-CNTs nanocomposites was observed when compared to that of pure
AgX or CNTs. The photocatalytic activity enhancement of Ag/AgX-CNTs
was due to the effective electron transfer from photoexcited AgX and
plasmon-excited Ag(0) nanoparticles to CNTs. This can effectively
decrease the recombination of electron–hole pairs, lead to
a prolonged lifetime of the photoholes that promotes the degradation
efficiency