Redeeming the photocatalytic potential of CuWO₄ incorporating Ag₆Si₂O₇ via S-scheme PN heterostructure

Water pollution and energy crisis are deemed the most prevalent issues of contemporary decades, and enhanced efforts to counteract these issues via semiconductor photocatalyst engineering are among the best-proposed solutions. Semiconductor photocatalysts could effectively transform clean sunlight into chemical energy, thereby facilitating the breakdown of organic dyes. Herein, we demonstrate the PN heterojunction S scheme photocatalyst Ag₆Si₂O₇/CuWO₄ via the facile hydrothermal method. The Ag₆Si₂O₇/CuWO₄ heterostructure discerns the broadening of the absorption spectrum and enhanced carrier separation owing to the interfacial process at the interface. Both these aspects work as a stimulus regarding the photocatalytic properties and add versatilities to the effective utilization of carriers. The performance of different ratios of Ag₆Si₂O₇ and CuWO₄ in Ag₆Si₂O₇/CuWO₄ composite was monitored via photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B and Methylene Blue under visible irradiation. About 97.50% degradation efficiency for RhB was reached in 50 minutes at a 1:5 molar ratio (AgCW-E). The degradation constant rate of AgCW-E for RhB and MB was 21.12 and 26.13 times higher than pristine respectively. Based on trapping experiments and electron spin resonance spectra, it was determined that the photogenerated holes (h⁺) and •O₂^- played a crucial role as active species in the photocatalytic degradation of RhB. The synthetic substances additionally demonstrated great promise for recycling. The present study delivers an innovative perspective on developing a more potent Ag₆Si₂O₇/ CuWO₄ nano heterojunction photocatalyst that can capture visible light.