Preparation and characterisation of AgIn(WO4)2 photocatalyst with high photoreduction activity

Abstract

In this article, the AgIn(WO4)2 photocatalyst was prepared by coprecipitation using Na2WO4, AgNO3 and In(NO3)3 as raw materials. The photocatalyst was characterised by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of the AgIn(WO4)2 was evaluated by photocatalytic reduction of Cr2 and nitrobenzene. The results showed that, when the reaction solution was illuminated for 60 min and 10 h, respectively, the photoreduction efficiency of Cr2 and production efficiency of aniline were 88.6% and 48.7%, respectively. The effect of heat treatment conditions on the photocatalytic activity of the photocatalyst was also investigated. The best preparation condition is approximately 550°C for 5 h. The mechanisms of influence on the photocatalytic activity were also discussed.