Controllable fabrication of the luminescent photocatalytic material AgB/SMSO for application in cement: Optimization of doping strategies and all-weather degradation of pollutants

Abstract

This paper presents an innovative luminescent photocatalytic material, Ag3PO4/BiVO4/Sr2MgSi2O7:(Eu2+, Dy3+) (AgB/SMSO), which overcomes a pivotal limitation of photocatalysts—dependence on a light source—and effectively remediates pollutants and augments cement-based composite properties. The efficient carrier separation facilitated by Ag3PO4, in conjunction with the broad spectral response of BiVO4, enables AgB/SMSO to harness the internal luminescent properties of SMSO as a persistent light source, achieving continuous degradation of pollutants, which reveals the exceptional afterglow characteristics and photocatalytic activity of AgB/SMSO. At a 1:1:40 ratio, AgB/SMSO maintained its catalytic efficacy for over 8 h in the dark (methylene blue degradation rate of 70.43%), surpassing the 3-hour limit of current luminescent photocatalysts. Furthermore, the impact of integrating AgB/SMSO with cement on early-stage cement hydration, morphology, and micromechanical properties was comprehensively assessed. Ultimately, the overall photocatalytic capability of the derived AgB/SMSO cement-based composites was evaluated through experiments, revealing the synergistic mechanisms involved. This study not only enriches the theoretical understanding of photocatalysis but also provides a robust technical foundation for the innovation of environmentally friendly building materials and the advancement of sustainable urban development.