Ag@AgCl embedded on cellulose film: a stable, highly efficient and easily recyclable photocatalyst

Abstract

In this work, cellulose–Ag@AgCl composite films have been fabricated directly through a one-step coagulation of a cellulose/1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (BmimCl) solution with AgNO3 and PVP. The AgCl was formed upon the addition of AgNO3 to a cellulose/BmimCl solution, and underwent further reaction with excess Cl−, leading to the complete dissolution of AgCl. The AgCl crystals were regenerated on the cellulose matrix during the coagulation process. The AgCl was partial decomposed to Ag0 and formed Ag@AgCl under visible light irradiation. The morphology of Ag@AgCl in the cellulose matrix was controlled by varying the concentration of PVP. The addition of PVP enabled the formation of stable cellulose films embedded with Ag@AgCl. The composite film demonstrated efficient photodegradation of methyl orange, which was retained upon recycling. This work thus provides a simple pathway for the preparation of Ag@AgCl embedded on a polymer support via one-step coagulation.