Nanocomposite Ag@AgCl/ZnO for efficient hydrogen generation through water splitting

Abstract

We had successfully prepared the microwave assisted lotus shaped Ag@AgCl/ZnO nanocomposite (NC) of size 57.72 nm, in aqueous media at 90 °C for 7 min heating. The conventional single pot refluxing method was also used to prepare NCs with spherical shaped nanoparticles of size 59.12 nm at 90 °C heating for 3 h. X-ray diffraction data of the Ag@AgCl/ZnO NCs synthesized by the both methods, confirmed that the nanocomposite crystallized in three phases i.e. face-centered cubic (AgCl), cubic (nanosilver) and wurtzite hexagonal phase (ZnO). Energy dispersive X-rays corresponding to the electron microscopy analysis with their elemental mapping, envisioned the surface morphology and elemental composition i.e., 19% ZnO, 13.79% AgCl, 8.08% Zn and 26.19% Ag in the NC. The Ag@AgCl/ZnO NCs exhibited the visible light harvesting ability with band gap i.e. 3.02 and 2.96 eV with SURS selfsensitization of AgCl. Conventionally made sample and microwave assisted sample emits green and yellow-photoluminescence emissions, respectively. FTIR spectra at different stages of the formation of the nanocomposites, visualized the gradual changes in bonding positions of NCs. We utilized this molecular system as an efficient visible-light harvesting optical devices for water splitting. Conventionally and microwave assisted Ag@AgCl/ZnO samples, librated 6082.9 and 6782.32 μmol H2 h−1 g−1, optimum hydrogen in 8 h, respectively, through photocatalytic water splitting under AM 1.5G irradiation.