Rationally designed 1D Ag@AgVO3 nanowire/graphene/protonated g-C3N4 nanosheet heterojunctions for enhanced photocatalysis via electrostatic self-assembly and photochemical reduction methods

1D Ag@AgVO3 nanowire/graphene/protonated g-C3N4 nanosheet (Ag@AgVO3/rGO/PCN) heterojunctions are fabricated via a simple electrostatic self-assembly process followed by a photochemical reduction method. In this hybrid structure, 1D Ag@AgVO3 nanowire spenetrate through 2D nanosheets (graphene and PCN), forming a 3D hybrid photocatalyst, which is applied as an efficient visible light driven photocatalyst for organic pollutant degradation. Its enhanced photocatalytic activity is ascribed to the well-known electronic conductivity of 2D graphene, the intense visible light absorption of 1D Ag@AgVO3 nanowires, large surface areas and rapid photogenerated charge interface transfer and separation. Our results provide a facile way to fabricate hierarchical g-C3N4-based photocatalysts in a controlled manner and highlight promising prospects by adopting an integrative 1D and 2D nanomaterial strategy to design more efficient semiconductor-based composite photocatalysts with high photocatalytic activities and a wide spectral response toward environmental and energy applications.