Preparation of Ag doped Bi2O3 nanosheets with highly enhanced visible light photocatalytic performances

Silver doped Bi2O3 photocatalysts with different molar ratio of Ag/Bi have been prepared by a co-precipitation method using AgNO3 as Ag source. The as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS). The XRD and TEM results showed that the samples were mainly composed of the nanosheets with high crystallinity. Ag doped Bi2O3 nanosheets exhibted the high absorportion in visible light region. Methyl orange (MO) photocatalytic degradation experiments showed that 3 mol% Ag doped Bi2O3 showed higher photocatalytic activity than the pristine Bi2O3 under visible light irradiation. The doping structure was not only responsible for the high visible light absorption but also played a vital role in improving the separation of photo-induced electrons and holes. The electron transfer mechanism was proposed. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.