Synthesis and characterization of Ag-AgVO(3)/Cu(2)O heterostructure with improved visible-light photocatalytic performance

Heterostructure Ag-AgVO(3)/Cu(2)O photocatalyst was prepared by the hydrothermal procedure. The prepared photocatalysts were characterized by different physico-chemical techniques. For Ag-AgVO(3)/Cu(2)O composites, AgVO(3) shows the monoclinic phase whereas Ag and Cu(2)O show a cubic phase. SEM images of Ag-AgVO(3)/Cu(2)O composites illustrated that the surface of AgVO(3) nanorods was covered by Ag and Cu(2)O nanoparticles. Ultra violet − visible diffuse reflectance spectra revealed that the calculated optical response of Ag-AgVO(3)/Cu(2)O composite was found to be 2.24 eV. Additionally, the composite catalyst demonstrated improved photo-efficiency for the decolorization of methylene blue dye compared to that of pristine AgVO(3). The better performance of the composite sample can be ascribed to its high charge separation and inhibition in recombination of charges in Ag-AgVO(3)/Cu(2)O catalyst Finally, this heterostructure Ag-AgVO(3)/Cu(2)O catalyst demonstrated good stability which simply can be recycled a number of times with steadiness; thus, unwraps new possibilities for applications as innovative photocatalyst