Solvothermal Crystallization of Ag/AgxO-AgCl Composites: Effect of Different Chloride Sources/Shape-Tailoring Agents

In the present work, AgCl microcrystals were obtained by solvothermal crystallization to investigate the effect of H+, Na+, K+, and different shape-tailoring agents (non-ionic: polyvinylpyrrolidone vs. anionic: sodium dodecyl sulfate) on the textural and photocatalytic properties of the samples. The crystallization process resulted in secondary products, such as AgxO or Ag, AgClO3, AgClO4, which were further transformed during the photocatalytic tests. The most efficient photocatalyst (assessed for methyl orange degradation) was synthesized using HCl, as a chloride source and polyvinylpyrrolidone, as a shape-tailoring agent. Therefore, the ability of polyvinylpyrrolidone to enhance the photocatalytic activity was also investigated, and it was found that the addition of 0.6 g polyvinylpyrrolidone resulted in the most efficient photocatalyst. Moreover, AgxO, being a charge separator, could play a critical role in the photocatalytic process, while reversibly transforming to Ag back and forth.

Automated summary

In this study, AgCl microcrystals were obtained by solvothermal crystallization to investigate the effect of different shape-tailoring agents on the photocatalytic properties, with the most efficient catalyst synthesized using HCl and polyvinylpyrrolidone. The ability of polyvinylpyrrolidone to enhance photocatalytic activity was also explored, showing that 0.6 g of polyvinylpyrrolidone resulted in the most efficient catalyst. Additionally, AgxO was found to play a critical role as a charge separator in the photocatalytic process.