Enhanced photocatalytic activity of Bi2O3–Ag2O hybrid photocatalysts.

Bi 2 O 3 –Ag 2 O hybrid photocatalysts were successfully synthesized via a co-precipitation method. The morphology, structure and photocatalytic performance in the degradation of phenol were characterized by using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, electrochemical impedance spectra and UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, respectively. The results show that Bi 2 O 3 –Ag 2 O hybrid photocatalysts exhibit enhanced photocatalytic performance in the degradation of phenol with a maximum degradation rate of 92% for 60 min under visible light irradiation compared with pure Bi 2 O 3 (57%), which is ascribed to the increase in light adsorption and the reduction in electron–hole pair recombination with the introduction of Ag 2 O. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]