AgVO₃/Ag₆Si₂O₇ nanocomposites with enhancing visible-light driven photocatalysis performance

The AgVO₃/Ag₆Si₂O₇ nanocomposite was developed via the coprecipitation method. After being composited, these two nanostructures developed a heterojunction form. The DRS spectra suggested that these nanocomposites with different ratios possessed suitable bandgap, therefore could strongly absorb visible light. The EIS and Mott−Schottky plot curves show that the AgVO₃ structure was n-type conductivity semiconductor, while the Ag₆Si₂O₇ structure was p-type conductivity, and these two semiconductors could form the p-n heterojunction nanostructure. The AgVO₃/Ag₆Si₂O₇ nanocomposite possess higher photogenerated carrier transfer efficiency and stability of the photogenerated carriers. The organic dye photodegradation activity studies suggested that the AgSV-12 exhibited the best photocatalysis effectivity, and showed good photodegradation activity to other organic dyes. The ESR and reactive species quenchers study suggested that the reactive species that oxidized the organic dyes were photogenerated holes, •O₂⁻ and •OH, and the photogenerated holes played the essential factor. Finally, the photocatalysis mechanism and process were presumed as the p-n heterojunction mechanism.