Site-selected synthesis of novel Ag@AgCl nanoframes with efficient visible light induced photocatalytic activity

A novel and facile synthetic route toward Ag@AgCl nanoframe photocatalysts is developed. The AgCl nanoframes were initially prepared via a site-selected growth process. After light irradiation, the Ag@AgCl composite nanoframes with uniform distribution of Ag nanoparticles on the surface were successfully synthesized. The physical and photophysical properties of the Ag@AgCl composite photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflection spectroscopy (DRS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electron spin resonance (ESR) and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). The Ag@AgCl nanoframes showed superior photocatalytic activity and photo-generated charge carrier separation efficiency under visible light irradiation, when compared with pure AgCl and Ag@AgCl cubic structures. Furthermore, the Ag@AgCl nanoframes can maintain photocatalytic activity after 5 cycles. A possible mechanism for Ag@AgCl nanoframe structures is proposed. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of Ag@AgCl nanoframe structures can be attributed to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect from Ag and the hybrid effect from AgCl.