Ternary semiconductor metal oxide blends grafted Ag@AgCl hybrid as dimensionally stable anode active layer for photoelectrochemical oxidation of organic compounds: Design strategies and photoelectric synergistic mechanism

The development of ultra-efficient, sustainable, and easily accessible anode with relative non-precious semi-conducting metal oxides is highly significant for application in the practical treatment of organically polluted water. Herein, we report SnO2, TiO2, and Ag2O ternary semiconductor metal oxide blend grafted Ag@AgCl hybrids, prepared with the one-step sol-gel method and applied as a dimensionally stable anode (DSA)-active layer on a SnO2-Sb/Ti electrode. Factors affecting crystal formation, including the presence or absence of 02 during calcination, the calcination temperature, and Ag@AgCl additive dosage were discussed. The micro morphology, phase composition, and photoelectrochemical activity of the newly designed anode were comprehensively characterized. The optimized preparation, which yielded a solid-solution structure with flat and smooth surface and well-crystallized lattice configuration, occurred in the absence of 02 during calcination at 550 degrees C with an Ag@AgCl additive dosage of 0.2 g in the sol-gel precursor. The newly designed DSA displayed improved electrocatalysis (EC) and photoelectrical catalysis (PEC) capacity. The phenol and its TOC removal efficiency reached 90.65% and 58.17% for 10 mA/cm(2) current density with a metal halide lamp in 3 h. The lifespan was four times that of SnO2-Sb/Ti electrode. This proposed DSA construction strategy may support improved EC and PEC reactivities toward the decomposition of organic pollutants.