Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Compounds by Ilmenite AgSbO3 under Visible and UV Light Irradiation

Ilmenite AgSbO3 was synthesized by ion-exchange reaction of NaSbO3 with silver nitrate and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, diffuse reflectance, surface area, and photocatalytic measurements. AgSbO3 exhibited unique optical absorption behavior capable of absorbing UV and visible light with a wavelength lambda <= 500 nm and with a clear tail extending up to 650 rim. Investigation of photocatalytic degradation of dyes, Such as methylene blue (MB) and rhodamine B (Rh B), agreed very well with the optical absorption behavior and showed excellent activity under UV light (lambda < 400 nm) radiation. Complete mineralization of MB and Rh B was observed within the first 30-40 min of UV light irradiation. Further, the single phase ilmenite AgSbO3 efficiently decomposed MB, Rh B, and 4-chlorophenol Solutions under visible light radiation (400 nm <= lambda <= 800 nm). The present investigation results point toward the possibility of ail ilmenite form of silver antimony oxide as a potential visible-light-based photocatalyst for splitting water to produce hydrogen.