Facile synthesis of ZnO/Ag nanocomposites with enhanced photocatalytic properties under visible light

Flower-like ZnO/Ag nanocomposites were successfully synthesized via a simple, green and cost efficient method. In this method, the flower-like precursor was first prepared and subsequently calcined at 500 degrees C at 2 h. The XRD results confirmed the presence of pure wurtzite ZnO structure and metal Ag in flower-like precursor. The SEM and TEM results revealed that the obtained nanocomposites well inherited the morphology of the precursor and Ag particles deposited on the inside of the nanocomposites. The UV-vis diffuse reflection and PL spectra showed that ZnO/Ag nanocomposites exhibited tunable optical properties. Noteworthily, ZnO/Ag nanocomposites showed more efficient photocatalytic activity in the degradation of MB than that of pure ZnO under visible light irradiation. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.