In-situ solid-state synthesis and regulation of Ag2O/Ag2CO3 heterojunctions with promoted visible-light driven photocatalytic decomposition for organic pollutant.

The Ag 2 O/Ag 2 CO 3 heterostructure photocatalysts synthesized and regulated using simple one-step solid-state chemical process at room temperature exhibited outstanding visible light-driven photocatalytic acivity. • The heterojunction were in situ constructed by one-step room temperature solid-state method. • The composition of heterojunction can be in situ regulated by solid-state method. • The regulation mechanism of heterojunction has also been revealed. • The obtained Ag 2 O/Ag 2 CO 3 displays outstanding photocatalytic activity and reusability. Ag-based photocatalysts have excellent photocatalytic properties, but their photocatalytic degradation performance is limited by the serious photocatalytic corrosion. In order to enhance the stability of photocatalytic degradation of Ag-based photocatalysts, here, the Ag 2 O/Ag 2 CO 3 heterojunction was in-situ constructed and conveniently regulated by controlling the alkalinity of room temperature solid-state chemical reaction system. The photocatalytic degradation activity of the obtained heterojunction was influenced by the in-situ regulated component and band position of the Ag 2 O/Ag 2 CO 3 heterojunction. The obtained optimal products AAC-6 displayed remarkable photocatalytic activity and high reusability. The apparent rate constant of AAC-6 is 20 times than that of Ag 2 CO 3 , it is also far higher than that of P25. The significantly enhanced photocatalytic performance can be ascribed to the matching energy position between Ag 2 CO 3 and Ag 2 O, which can facilitate the visible light absorption ability and the efficient separation of photoinduced charges carriers. This study explored an in-situ one-step solid-state strategy to construct Ag 2 CO 3 -based heterojunction catalyst with outstanding photocatalytic performance, which may open a new perspective for the preparation of excellent photocatalytic degradation materials by solid-state chemical method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]