Ag/AgCl nanoparticles decorated 2D-Bi12O17Cl2 plasmonic composites prepared without exotic chlorine ions with enhanced photocatalytic performance

Abstract

In this investigation, various Ag/AgCl nanoparticles-decorated 2D Bi12O17Cl2 plasmonic hybrids were gained via accessible one-pot protocol, where chlorine ions in both AgCl and Bi12O17Cl2 components originated from the hydrolysis of reagent BiCl3, thus avoiding the involvement of exotic chlorine sources. These composites were systematically characterized by several techniques and the presence of expected components was confirmed by XRD patterns and XPS analyses. In addition, the size of Ag/AgCl particles in SEM images was greatly constrained among 2D Bi12O17Cl2 nanosheets in comparison to bare Ag/AgCl, facilitating to generate efficient interfacial contact in heterojunction domains in TEM observations. Together with other merits, such as enhanced visible-light harvesting capability by LSPR effect of elemental silver, enlarged specific surface areas, and well-aligned electronic structures, these plasmonic composites showed significantly enhanced photocatalytic performance and satisfactory reusability upon visible light. Induced holes and oxygen-containing radicals O2− were deemed as dominant species by quenching experiments and ESR spectra and a corresponding photocatalysis mechanism was thereby deduced. This study shed light on the construction of composites making full use of all ions contained in reagents for purpose of reinforced photocatalytic capacities in environmental remediation fields.