Photocatalytic performance and mechanism of AgI/Ag/ZnO composites as catalysts for the visible-light-driven degradation of naproxen

A facile three-step photo-deposition method was applied to successfully synthesize Ag and AgI modified ZnO composites (AgI/Ag/ZnO). Under visible-light irradiation, the composites enhanced the photocatalytic efficiency of Naproxen (NPX) degradation as the Ag contents increased. 100 % NPX could be removed in 60 min when AgI/ Ag/ZnO (75 %) was the catalyst. Different initial pH, alongside the addition of NO3- and SO42- had little impact, but Cl- could accelerate the degradation rate. ?O2- and h+ played a significant role in the photocatalysis process. Several byproducts were predicted by DFT-software calculation and verified by LC?MS/MS. The cycling experiments showed that the removal rate decreased after the first run due to the leaching of Ag+. The removal rate kept stable after the next two reactions.

Automated summary

A facile three-step photo-deposition method was applied to synthesize Ag and AgI modified ZnO composites, enhancing the photocatalytic efficiency of Naproxen degradation under visible-light irradiation. Different initial pH, NO3-, and SO42- had little impact, while Cl- accelerated the degradation rate. O2- and h+ played significant roles, and cycling experiments showed a decrease in removal rate after the initial run but stability in subsequent reactions.