Abstract
Nanosized Ag2CrO4/few layer boron nitride composites were prepared via in situ precipitation method. The crystal structure, morphology, optical properties, and charge carrier behavior were investigated by X-ray diffraction, transmission electrical microscopy, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, respectively. The photocatalytic activities of the as-prepared hybrids were discussed by degradation of rhodamine B under visible-light irradiation. Experimental results showed that the average size of pure Ag2CrO4 particles was about 20 nm. Moreover, the degradation efficiency of the as-prepared hybrids was first increased and then decreased with increasing the usage amount of few layer boron nitride nanosheets. When it was 10 wt%, in 120 min, the degradation efficiency of the as-prepared hybrids had reached the maximum of 96.7%. It was much higher than 75% of pure Ag2CrO4 nanoparticles. After 3 cycles of the degradation, the efficiency of the as-prepared composites was decreased from 96.7 to 91.8%. Trapping experiment results revealed that holes played a major role during the photocatalysis process. In addition, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results indicated that few layer boron nitride nanosheets could enhance the separation and transfer of photogenerated electrons and holes.
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This study was funded by the Youth Science and Technology Foundation of Higher Education Institutions of Hebei Province, China (grant number Q2012111), and Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province, China (grant number E2013210011).
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Wu, Xf., Zhao, Zh., Sun, Y. et al. Preparation and characterization of Ag2CrO4/few layer boron nitride hybrids for visible-light-driven photocatalysis. J Nanopart Res 19, 193 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-017-3892-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-017-3892-9