Silver halide-based composite photocatalysts: an updated account

Abstract

Silver halides are attractive materials for visible light-driven photocatalytic applications. To improve their stability under visible light irradiation, several strategies have been explored, among them the use of an inorganic support, thus promoting a synergistic effect between the two components which is beneficial for their photocatalytic performance. The present study aims to present and discuss advances on silver halide-based composite photocatalysts, thus providing an overview of the effect of different supports on the photocatalytic properties of the corresponding composites. Attention is devoted to silver halide composites based on three main classes of inorganic compounds that are (i) carbon-based materials, among them graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, graphene-like boron nitride, activated carbon, carbon nanotubes, graphitic carbon nitride; (ii) clay materials, among them cationic (silicates) and anionic (layered double hydroxides) clays; and (iii) layered zirconium phosphate.