Preparation and Photocatalytic Properties of Flower-like Ag/AgI/BiOI Microspheres

The flower-like Ag/AgI/BiOI microspheres were prepared by a two-step microwave-assisted solvothermal followed by in situ photo-assisted reduction. The as-prepared materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the nitrogen adsorption and desorption isotherms and ultraviolet-visible (UV–vis) diffuse reflectance spectra. The results showed that the flower-like Ag/AgI/BiOI microspheres were assembled by radially grown nanosheets with the thickness of about 50 nm. The Ag/AgI/BiOI with molar ratio of 0.1∶1 showed the largest specific surface area, the highest visible light absorption and the highest photocatalytic activity. By combining the interface effects between metal and semiconductor contact as well as the special properties of semiconductor photocatalytic materials, the catalytic mechanism of the Ag/AgI/BiOI was ascribed to the photocatalytic degradation reaction mechanism based on the surface plasmon resonance effect.