A Novel Method for Preparation of Silver Chloride Thin Films

Abstract

Silver chloride thin film (SCTF) with high specific surface area was synthesized through precipitation reaction by adding sodium chloride solution on top of frozen silver nitrate solution. Effects of precipitation time and silver nitrate concentration on the morphology of SCTFs were investigated. SEM images show that small crystal AgCl grains forming rod-like structure appeared on the bottom surface of the SCTF. After exposure of SCTFs to UV light, clusters of silver atoms were formed on the surface of SCTF as indicated by XRD analysis. Six SCTFs were attached to interior wall of the photo-reactor using double sided adhesive tape for investigation of photocatalytic property of the films. Almost completed decolorization of orange II dye by SCTF can be achieved under UV light illumination within two hours. SCTFs made under different initial silver nitrate solution concentrations of 8.4 M, 4.2 Mand 3.6 Mhave little impact on dye decolorization efficiency. The photocatalytic degradation of orange II dye by SCTF under visible light illumination is less efficient than that under UV light. Around 31% of color can be removed after two hours.