Template assisted synthesis of Ag/AgBr/AgCl hollow microspheres with heterojunction structure as highly activity and stability photocatalyst

Ag/AgBr/AgCl hollow microspheres were synthesised through template assisted synthesis method followed by calcination and light reduction method. Field emission scanning electron microscopy, UV-Vis absorption spectra and X-ray diffraction were utilized to characterize the morphology, optical absorption property and phase structure of the as-prepared photocatalyst, respectively. By degradation of Rhodamine B under visible light, the Ag/AgBr/AgCl hollow microspheres exhibited a significant enhancement in photocatalytic activity compared with Ag/AgCl and Ag/AgBr. Furthermore, the heterojunction formed between AgCl and AgBr, the remarkable visible light absorption attributed to Ag nanoparticles on the surface of AgBr are considered as the main reasons of the enhancement. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.