Efficiently photocatalytic reduction of carcinogenic contaminant Cr (VI) upon robust AgCl:Ag hollow nanocrystals

Herein, we newly present a robust photocatalyst in terms of AgCl:Ag-Hollow nanocrystals (NCs) which exhibit fast photoreduction rate for representative carcinogenic contaminant (Cr (VI)) into the benign form(10 min). The provided hollow structure significantly enhanced light absorption and specific surface area (42 times than normal AgCl material), which are the two critical factors to improve the photoreduction activity. Further, the Schottky junction of the plasmonic system facilitates separation of photo-induced electrons and holes, which absolutely benefits the photocatalysis reactions. The photocurrent intensity, kinetic responses with apparent kinetic rate constant (kapp) and apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) (within 6 min) of AgCl:Ag-Hollow NCs were about 4-8, 5.3 and 2.7 times as that of normal AgCl material, respectively. Most strikingly, we anticipate such AgCl:Ag-Hollow NCs might become a promising candidate for practical application of water cleansing and environmental pollution purifying under visible light irradiation in the future. (C) 2014 Elsevier BM. All rights reserved.