Plasmonic Ag nanoparticles decorated NiAl-layered double hydroxide/graphitic carbon nitride nanocomposites for efficient visible-light-driven photocatalytic removal of aqueous organic pollutants

Ag nanoparticles decorated NiAl-layered double hydroxide/graphitic carbon nitride (Ag/LDH/g-C3N4) nanocomposites were synthesized for the first time by an in situ hydrothermal method, followed by photoreduction. The visible-light-driven Ag/LDH/g-C3N4 nanocomposites exhibited enhanced performance for the photocatalytic degradation of aqueous Rhodamine B and 4-chlorophenol. Notably, the Ag/LDH/g-C3N4 nanocomposite with LDH and Ag contents of 15 wt% and 1 wt%, respectively, showed the highest photocatalytic performance, which was far superior to that observed for pure g-C3N4, LDH, and the binary Ag/g-C3N4 and LDH/g-C3N4 composites. The enhanced photocatalytic efficiency was mainly attributed to rapid charge transfer at the Ag/LDH/g-C3N4 interfaces and the surface plasmon resonance of the Ag nanoparticles, which promotes the separation efficiency of photogenerated charge carriers and improves optical absorption. Additionally, the Ag/LDH/g-C3N4 nanocomposites exhibited excellent photostability during successive experimental runs, with no significant change in degradation performance. These findings are expected to provide new mechanistic insights into the design and construction of efficient visible-light-driven photocatalysts for application in solar energy conversion and environmental remediation.