Facile synthesis of a robust visible-light-driven AgCl/WO3 composite microrod photocatalyst

Abstract A series of robust AgCl/WO3 composite microrods (0.1–0.2 μm) with different Ag/W molar ratios (0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, 1.25) were synthesized via hydrothermal-calcination process. The obtained samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, FT-IR, UV-vis DRS, PL, BET, Raman, transient TPRT and EIS. The photocatalytic test for organic dyes degradation showed that AgCl/WO3 microrods possess much higher photocatalytic activities and stability than bare AgCl and WO3. With optimal AgCl/WO3 molar ratio (0.75∼1), 2∼5 times increase in dye decomposition efficiency was obtained over AgCl/WO3 microrods. The formation of intimate WO3/AgCl heterojuction (interface) largely enhanced the separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers. This investigation suggested that AgCl/WO3 microrods could a promising photocatalyst for environmental remediation.