Enhanced photocatalytic activity and anti-photocorrosion of AgI nanostructures by coupling with graphene-analogue boron nitride nanosheets

Graphene-analogue boron nitride (BN) nanosheets wrapped with AgI nanocomposites were synthesized via an ultra-sonic chemical assisted method, without the use of organic stabilizers. A set of characterizations, including TEM, XRD, XPS, FTIR, optical absorption, and photoluminescence spectroscopies, confirm that the nanocomposites is formed from AgI nanocrystals and the graphene-analogue boron nitride nanosheets. The photocatalyst studies showed that AgI BN nanocomposites exhibit significantly higher photocatalytic activity and anti-photocorrosion than the pure AgI, under simulated sunlight irradiation. Among the AgI BN nanocomposites (wt% of BN=0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4), AgI BN (0.2 wt%) exhibited the best photocatalytic activity, as revealed by the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB). The enhanced photocatalytic activities were mainly attributed to the enhanced light absorption and separation rate of photo-induced electrons and holes by interfacial transfer of photogenerated electrons through the BN nanosheets to the AgI nanostructures. In addition, nanocomposites exhibited the best catalytic activity for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol in the presence of NaBH4 as a reducing agent. It is expected that AgI BN nanocomposites with promising catalytic activity and durability will be used in applications for environmental remediation. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.